KOTA KINABALU: The state government must act quickly to make online learning accessible to the many Sabahans who lack the proper devices, resources and Internet connectivity, an NGO says.
Women in Sabah’s Expression (WISE) said that the state lags far behind in terms of accessibility and basic requirements that make online classes feasible.
“We are not ready for this and it will take a long time before we can fully have online learning in Sabah, ” it said in a statement on Wednesday (June 9)
Wise added that the best way for the moment is to make online studies available through local television and radio networks.
It said the Covid-19 pandemic has further exposed the gap in education and access between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
Wise also said that the pandemic highlighted the pressing need for the government to put more focus on telecommunications infrastructure as well as equipping children with the devices needed for online learning.
With the pandemic having gone on for more than a year, WISE noted that the government and education agencies should have an idea how to address issues faced in implementing effective online learning.
Despite the state government’s Bantuan Ihsan Komputer initiative to provide 10, 000 laptops to selected secondary school students around the state, WISE believed more could be done.
“The government must act aggressively to help families that cannot afford online learning and also push for vaccination for everyone as soon as possible, ” it said.
