According to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, The Education Ministry will decide soon whether to continue with the 1BestariNet programme in schools – following a review.

“We currently have an initial report done by Mimos that has been submitted to the committee, which will conclude its findings by end January next year,” he said.

The Ministry is still bound to the programme until June 2019, he further added, following an agreement between the previous Barisan Nasional government and the supplier.

What is 1BestariNet?

The programme pushes for 4G broadband connectivity and virtual learning environments (VLE) to some 10,000 schools.

Back in 2011, the Education Ministry introduced 1BestariNet. It is a 15-year project that will cost about RM4bil to implement.

However, the project was beset by complaints. They were highlighted by the Auditor-General’s Report and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee in 2013 and 2014.

The list of problems included: delays in implementing internet services, absence of a project committee, poor internet access and the ministry’s failure to properly research schools’ needs.