What about 40pc of students who can’t do online learning, asks Maszlee

KUALA LUMPUR: With the return of students to online learning until next year, former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik has raised questions over the fate of close to 40 per cent of students across the country who are without electronic devices and Internet connection at home.

In questioning this, Maszlee said it was paramount that his successor, Senior Education Minister Dr Radzi Jidin, address the matter to ensure that this group of disadvantaged students did not fall behind in their studies during the school closure from now until the school term started on Jan 20 next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“What is the minister’s plan for 36.9 per cent of students who do not have smart devices at home?

“What is the alternative plan to ensure that this group is not left behind while their peers get to go online for classes with their teachers?

“How about poor families and the Bottom 40 group who not only do not have the electronic devices but also no Internet connection at home?” asked Maszlee, who is Simpang Renggam member of parliament, in a statement yesterday.

It was reported in April this year that research by the ministry showed that 36.9 per cent of students nationwide do not possess any electronic devices.

The findings were part of the ministry’s research involving the teaching and learning platform on access to communications technology among teachers and students.

Radzi had reportedly said that the findings showed that six per cent of students had their own computers, 5.67 per cent had their own tablets, nine per cent had their own laptops and 46 per cent had smartphones.

He said the research, which involved over 670,000 parents and close to 900,000 students, found that ownership of hardware and electronic devices for learning from home was limited.

Radzi had back then said the ministry was looking into the best way to solve the problem.

Maszlee had also expressed concern on more than 600,000 students who are recipients of the Supplementary Food Programme and if the ministry had any plan to assist them and those from the B40 group, who are fully dependent on the free meals at school.