State govt denies being 'slow' in helping rural students

KOTA KINABALU: The state government is addressing the need of rural students for electronic devices for home learning and denies it is "slow" in helping them.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the state Cabinet yesterday discussed students' difficulties in keeping up with their studies outside of classrooms and will begin identifying those who qualify for help as well as the assistance required.

“We have asked the state exco in charge of education to get in contact with the Education Department and identify those who qualify for help and how many devices are needed,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

“We also have to decide what devices are suitable because as we know, some villages don't even have WiFi or Internet. So we have to take those things into consideration too.

“We welcome help from everybody. Those who have money and are generous, we are happy they can help. Government funds do not work the same way, and it has to go through a process. But we thank the individuals who have helped and hope more will come forward to help,” he said.

Masidi was asked to comment on the government's actions following reports that celebrity preacher Ebit Lew donated food packs, masks, wheelchairs and around 200 Samsung tablet computers to needy students.

Rural Sabahans have been reported struggling in keeping up with their studies online as many do not have cellular or internet service, and some do not have devices to obtain their lesson plans for the day.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor said the state government is considering providing electronic devices to underprivileged students in the state to facilitate their Home-based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) sessions.

He said the state government understood the constraints and challenges faced by parents in providing the devices for their children's learning process at home.