The Education Ministry denied allegations by several parties that the 1BestariNet project was a failure.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the execution of the project in most schools was delayed based on the contract schedule as the issue of construction approval involved many local authorities.

"A total of 8,924 out of the 8,938 schools faced 1BestariNet installation delays," he said when winding up debate on the 2017 Supply Bill at the committee stage for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat, Tuesday.

According to him, the ministry was also upgrading 1BestariNet internet speed so that the schools involved achieved a more stable internet connection at an optimum speed.

On Monday, Auditor General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang said his department would be conducting a follow-up audit on 1BestariNet soon to look into the effectiveness of the project's implementation at the schools involved.

The decision was made at the request of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following complaints received from schools and parents including over the slow internet speed.

1BestariNet is a initiative of the Education Ministry to replace and improve the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) network system in schools with the first phase starting in 2011 at a cost of RM663 million.

The 15-year project which has three phases with an overall cost of RM4.077 billion, is now in the second phase since July 2016.

Meanwhile Mahdzir said four Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Sibu Form Five students who were allegedly prevented from taking the 2016 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Mathematics paper would be allowed to sit for it for free if it was proven the incident occurred.

He said the school principal would also face action if found guilty.

Earlier in the debate on the ministry, Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (DAP-Lanang) alleged she received a report that a school principal had blocked the students from sitting the Mathematics paper for fear of affecting the school's performance.

The situation allegedly took place when the students failed the Mathematics trial examination, said Alice. - BERNAMA