Free laptops for 33,000 students

SIMUNJAN: The Ministry of Education will issue laptops to over 33,000 Form 5 students from 188 schools across Sarawak to bridge the digital divide.

The laptops will be distributed in phases starting this month.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this was part of a pilot project that would monitor and review the academic achievements and ICT skills of the students to determine its effectiveness.

He announced this when launching the new school blocks of SK Sg Ladong here yesterday.

Najib said the project also served to assist students access information and educational resources.

“It is also to equip students with new skills,” he said, adding that these laptops would comprise relevant learning materials.

SK Sg Ladong, built in 1957, has been transformed into two single storey concrete buildings with a total of 13 classrooms.

The project began on Feb 22 and took only seven weeks to complete.

The school would have remained dilapidated had it not been Najib’s personal directive to build concrete buildings during his working visit here last Jan 31.

The new school was built on a higher stilts and also has a science laboratory, two teachers’ quarters and a recreational area.

It will benefit 172 pupils, who are children of Malay and Iban fishermen.

In a press statement, SK Sg Ladong headmaster Anuar Alem said Najib’s intervention had completely changed the community and made a huge positive impact.

“He has not only built a brand new school for us that is comfortable and safe, but he has also inspired the commitment of the construction team to work around the adverse land conditions and weather conditions, including diverting water from the nearby river that causes floods.

“This new school has truly inspired all of us in the community, knowing that the leaders of our country care for our well-being.”

Anuar added that the pupils and teachers were extremely grateful, and the pupils became more determined to excel in their studies.

In the same statement, Najib described his visit as “truly fulfilling” for him to be able to witness such “an astounding transformation instituted in SK Sg Ladong within seven weeks despite various challenges.”

“I will personally ensure that all communities will be provided with adequate facilities and necessary tools to enhance their quality of life as the government remains resolutely committed to empower the next generation of Malaysia.”

Among those present were Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Barisan Nasional candidate for Sebuyau Datuk Julaihi Narawi. SIBU: Cigarettes sparked an attack at a construction site at Mile 13, Oya Road, on Saturday night when a foreigner slashed a fellow worker for refusing to sell him cigarettes.

The victim, a 38-year-old local from Rh Ricky, two miles away from the workplace, received 13 stiches on his neck and saw four fingers on his right hand chopped off.

The police have classified the case as causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapon under Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Both the victim and the attacker are staying in the site quarters.

According to a source, the incident at 9pm occurred when the foreign worker wanted to buy two cartons of cigarettes from the victim.

The victim had been selling cigarettes to his fellow workers, but refused to sell them to the foreigner that night because he said he had not paid for six cartons of cigarettes he took earlier.

This sparked a quarrel and the foreigner grabbed a knife to attack him. The foreigner ran off after that.

Police are now looking for the attacker to assist in the probe of this violent crime.