Bear fees for IT literacy classes, Govt urged

PETALING JAYA: The Government has been urged to bear the fees for IT literacy classes for students in Chinese primary schools until the Education Ministry includes such lessons in the schools’ curriculum.

MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun made the call after the issue arose in Chinese primary schools, where some parents were unable to afford the fees for the classes mostly by external trainers that were organised by parent-teacher associations (PTAs).

On Friday, Chinese daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported that more than 500 PTAs had submitted a memorandum to Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, urging the ministry to include IT literacy classes into the curriculum.

“All students have the right to receive the same education and we appeal to the Government to bear the fees for the IT literacy classes (for Chinese primary school students) until the ministry is able to carry out the classes on their own,” Chew said in a statement yesterday.

She also underlined the importance of computers as the most effective tool for learning and getting information.

“With computer education, children can learn to make use of infor- mation technology positively and responsibly,” she said.

She reiterated that the most effective way to eradicate poverty is through education.

“The Government’s cost of living and goods subsidies are short-term solutions to ease the burden of the needy.

“What it needs to do is to put in place long-term plans to improve the people’s welfare,” she said.