What is taken for granted in urban settings with internet connectivity and mobile penetration, the same cant be said for rural areas or in deep jungles where small villages exists. There are parts in Malaysia where connectivity is still a dream and using a mobile phone is a luxury, the problem gets exaggerated especially during a crisis like Covid 19.
During the Movement Control Order which started in March 18, many students were still in school and campuses were active with daily lectures, however since then many have not be able to return to class and have been staying in their homes or dormitories, attending online classes. But the truth of the matter is not all have the privilege of having internet access to attend these virtual classrooms. The state of Sabah for instance 52% of students dont have internet access, smartphones and not even a PC, which makes online learning extremely difficult. Sabah Education Director, Dr Mistrine Radin stated the issue is dire in his state, 98% of teachers surveyed were willing to conduct classes online, but their students when returned back to their hometown could not follow the online courses.
When the MCO was initiated those students who were able to use the PC in the schools and campus are now left stranded, as their families cant afford these equipment’s and hence no online learning for many of them. Mobile connectivity in the state has also been slow, telco’s focus on city areas where density is high and leave outskirts out of their network setup. MCMC under former Communication Minister embarked on closing the digital gap, leaving no one behind but this have yet to be fully realised.
Sabah is just one example showing the disparity on how the National Fiberisation projects have missed out, there are many other states, districts and villages who are facing similar predicament as East Malaysia. Dr. Mitrine does not want any students to be left behind and believes internet access is essential to prepare the young’s in embracing IR4.0, the Sabah Education Board finds all means to get educational material across to those off the grid, including mailing them over.
Imagine that, 21st Century world and basic amenity is still stuck in the 80’s.
