PdPR: Create special committee to solve shortage of devices, internet

KUALA LUMPUR:The government is advised to create a special committee to solve the problem of devices and internet access faced by students to continue the process of Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR).

Former Director-General of Education, Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom, said the committee should be joined by several ministries, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private entities.

"I suggest the formation of a task force consisting of several ministries, government agencies, NGOs, private sector, PTA and certain individuals to think and take appropriate action.

“I think this will ease the burden of MOE (Ministry of Education Malaysia) in overcoming this problem," he told Astro AWANI through a Skype interview on Saturday.

Alimuddin said all parties need to play a role in the issue of lack of device and internet facilities among students and not just put the problem on the shoulders of the MOE alone.

"I am also involved with an NGO, the Malaysian Education Concern Association (Prididik) and as its advisor and we, together with an IT company, are trying to collect old computers and repair them.

"Then, after repairing, we will hand them over to the MOE. So, everyone needs to be involved in this," he added.

He said it was also time for educational radio and TV to be activated again because it is an option for students in the event of a lack of devices and internet.

"Although many students and parents are facing difficulties with PdPR at this time, I am confident that it will be overcome and everyone will start to get used to the new norms," he added.