By Adrian Lim
BAU, Aug 3: Some 3,600 non-optionist teachers teaching Science, Mathematics and English subjects are expected to benefit from Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training carried out by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research (MESTR).
Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong said the State government has approved an allocation of RM6 million for the training.
The training will be implemented in collaboration with Sarawak Teachers’ Education Institute and the State Education Department via online courses before year end.
Manyin said this during a ceremony to hand over Raspberry Pi computers to primary schools at Bau Civic Centre here today.
On the distribution of Raspberry Pi computers to primary schools in Bau, he said: “There are altogether 40 primary schools under Bau education district that will benefit from this project through an allocation of 288 units of Raspberry Pi computers under Batch Three, including one unit for the District Education Office.
“Delivery of the computers to schools in Bau is expected to commence in the first week of September.”
Manyin who is also the Tebedu assemblyman said the distribution of Raspberry Pi computers to schools in Sarawak is being carried out via three batches from May to December 2021.
He disclosed that Batch One of the project had been completed whereby the Raspberry Pi computers were distributed to 334 schools in Baram, Belaga, Kapit, Song and Daro districts.
Manyin noted Batch Two covering 515 schools in sub-urban areas of Sarawak has achieved 73 per cent completion at the end of July 2021.
He asserted the Raspberry Pi computer and its ‘Internet-in-a-box’ function is a very powerful tool to improve teaching of and learning for pupils without Internet access.
Manyin added teachers can also guide and help pupils to learn coding and programming through an educational tool called ‘Scratch’ which was pre-loaded in the computer.
Meanwhile, the provision of Raspberry Pi computers to pupils was among MESTR’s initiatives to equip pupils with computers to facilitate learning and mastery of digital skills.
Each primary school is given between three to 25 units of the computer depending on school population size.
Among those present at the handover ceremony here were Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry permanent secretary Kameri Affandi, Bau district acting education officer Josephine Josy and Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Jinep. — DayakDaily
