KUANTAN, May 16 — The government will ensure low-density, rural and interior areas are provided with sufficient internet coverage so students can learn online, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the government will also ensure there are no more situations where students have to climb trees just to get internet coverage.
“I have already informed the Digital Minister (Gobind Singh Deo) that, from year-end, there will be no more students climbing trees to get coverage, because we have 5G.
“We have 5G, so we will continue to provide coverage for low population places, low-density areas, villages, Felda and Orang Asli settlements and interior areas,” he said when officiating the national-level Teacher’s Day Celebration here today.
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Zahid said 8,104 computer laboratories in schools need to be upgraded to achieve Digital Education Policy objectives.
“I hope the Education Ministry makes this a priority. I was also informed the supply of teaching and learning devices to students at computer laboratories has been implemented in phases.
“Since 2022, it has benefited 11,220 schools, with 213,014 laptops having been provided. I will discuss with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) so that additional funds for the supply of these devices can be approved, as requested by the ministry,” he said.
He also said he would discuss allocating a larger budget for the Education Ministry with the Prime Minister. Budget 2024 provided the Education Ministry with RM58.7 billion.
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the country needs an education system that produces students fluent in digital technology so they can compete and meet the needs of the job market, in line with the evolution of the digital world.
Zahid said the Education Ministry must formulate strategies to ensure digital technology is part of the Madani generation’s culture of acquiring knowledge.
— Bernama
