Rural students better thanks to eKelas

SEVENTY-FIVE rural students were rewarded for their diligence and perseverance in improving their performance in school exams.

For their efforts, the ‘most-improved students of 2019’ received between RM600 and RM1,200 in their Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) accounts under the Maxis Anugerah Gemilang (Student Grant Award).

Launched in August 2017, the student grant scheme under the telco company’s eKelas programme, is aimed at motivating and inspiring students to achieve their academic goals.

The number of recipients this year was three times more than the previous year.

To qualify for the award, students must improve by at least one grade in two or all three subjects taught in eKelas.

eKelas is run at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Internet centres, which serve as digital hubs for communities in underserved areas.

To date, eKelas is delivered to 80 Internet hubs across 10 states with 14,000 students connecting through the portal.

The centre in Kodiang, Kedah, which started to deliver eKelas to students in its community from the middle of last year, has one the highest number of grant recipients.

Among them was SMK Tunku Bendahara student Mohamad Aimin Nik Mohamed, who achieved 7As in the 2019 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

“I am very thankful for eKelas which has helped a lot in my revision and studies,” he said.

His mother Zainab Majid was glad that eKelas is available to students in the community.

“My son joined the programme to get additional support as he was sitting for SPM last year.

“It really helped him to understand the subjects better and improve his overall results.”

Another recipient, Form One student Pengiran Reoylinston Romingstone, from Kampung Quop, Kuching, said he enjoys the online interaction with his friends via eKelas.

“I can follow live tutorials by the teachers, share knowledge and exchange ideas during group discussions.”

Maxis CEO Gokhan Ogut said the company has been fostering digital inclusion through eKelas since 2015.

“eKelas provides the opportunity for students in rural communities to leverage on technology for a blended learning experience.

“We are encouraged by the improvements that students are showing in their academic performance, which is one of the objectives of this programme,” he said, adding that Maxis will expand the programme to more locations to benefit more communities.

Twenty-three schools joined the programme last year and the target is to reach out to an additional 50 this year.