By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, Nov 19: All 1,265 primary schools in the state will be provided with Raspberry PI 5 computers starting from January next year.
According to Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, the state government has allocated RM12 million for the project.
He said the initiative by the state government aimed to provide Internet connection to rural schools.
“For the provision of Raspberry PI 5 computers (to primary schools), the project will start from January 2021 and we have discussed with Sarawak Information Network System (Sains) about it,” Manyin told reporters today.
He had earlier officiated at the closing of the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriICOP) at Kg Kakeng, here.
Manyin said the computers would be imported from England, explaining that the project was temporarily halted due to Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, the project was an alternative programme by the state government under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to allow school children, particularly in rural areas, to enjoy Internet connection.
Manyin also said that most telecommunication companies would not fing it commercially viable to build telecommunication towers.
“So providing Raspberry PI 5 computers is the alternative programme of the state government,” he asserted.
He went on to say that about half of the 1,200 dilapidated schools in the state have been upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded.
He also said that the state government has allocated RM50 million to provide electricity to 271 schools.
“When we talk about the dilapidated schools, we are not only looking at providing water and electricity supply, but (improving) the physical appearance,” the Tebedu assemblyman pointed out. — DayakDaily
