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Lo appreciates telcos’ free internet access for needy students

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang welcomes the decision of telecommunication companies to provide free internet dongles and free internet access via SIM cards for disadvantaged students.  “I would be happy to hear from the donors if they think they can be of help to the students in our community,” he said, noting that the Covid-19 pandemic had posed many challenges, not least the closure of schools causing students to adapt to online learning.  He said based on feedback from people who had been in contact with them, he was fully aware that there were disadvantaged students who do not had access to computers or internet access at home.  “We are exploring avenues of donations of computers or tablets for disadvantaged students in our community,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.  He also said he had designated a specific helpdesk in his constituency to deal with problems his constituents might have with regard to this matter. “The people have been going to them, via phone or in person. Most of the time, they are questions about internet access and some about technological devices,” he said. He said his staff members tried to help by providing links to online educational tools.  “Fortunately, most of my staff are familiar with various videoconferencing and online collaboration tools and are able to point anyone who is a bit lost in the right direction.  “We may not be able to help everyone, but we do what we can,” said Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman. He said it was a blessing that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had been advocating and pushing for Sarawak to go digital years prior to this pandemic. “That is why you have probably seen me praising the rapid rise of the use of broadband provided by Unifi around Padawan. I hope this positive attitude and push towards digitalisation will continue,” he said.

Use of colour code system to determine school closure

Adam Prakesh

KUCHING: Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) has proposed that schools in Sarawak be closed based on the colour code system, and that this be considered by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC). STU president Adam Prakesh Abdullah said this was particularly necessary for schools in safe zones so that students could […]

Long break for over 1,000 schools

KUCHING: It would be another long holiday — until June 13 — for more than 1,000 primary and secondary schools in Sarawak’s Covid-19 red zone districts. The 863 primary and 146 secondary schools involving 372,433 students and 30,425 teachers will only reopen after the Gawai festival on June 14. Education, Science and Technological Research Minister […]

Is closure of all schools a pragmatic move?

BY NURQALBY MOHD REDA AND SAKINI MOHD SAID KUALA LUMPUR: A big question in many people’s minds is whether the proposed temporary closure of all schools is a pragmatic move in curbing the spread of Covid-19, which is now seen as increasingly worrying in educational institutions. This is one of the hotly debated questions in […]

Don’t treat closure as a holiday

KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS)has reminded students not to treat the 14-day school closure as a holiday. KGBS president Ahmad Malie said despite the school closure, there was a possibility that online learning session might be implemented. “This reminder is necessary because the Union is worried that the students will start to perceive […]

STU thanks CM for school closure decision

KUCHING: The Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the decision to close all schools in the red zones for two weeks effective Tuesday (April 20). STU was confident that Abang Johari had taken into account the safety of the students, teachers and the public before making the […]

Schools in red zones to close from tomorrow

KUCHING: The state government has decided to close all schools including nurseries and kindergartens in Covid-19 red zones for 14 days effective tomorrow (April 20). Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the decision was made as several schools in the state had reported several infection cases among their teachers and students. “I […]

Dr Annuar suggests that schools in Sibu close for two weeks

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee has suggested that all schools in Sibu be closed for two weeks. He said he had informed State Education director Dr Norisah Suhaili regarding the issue. “I take the situation of the pandemic seriously as it puts the students and teachers at risk, […]

DDMCs empowered to decide on school reopening

KUCHING: The Sibu and Bintulu Divisional Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) are empowered to decide on schools reopening or closure in their respective localities. Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the divisional committees could come up with a recommendation if they find that the school reopening would pose a risk […]

Close schools only if situation requires

KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is concerned about the spike in Covid-19 cases statewide. KGBS president Ahmad Malie is urging the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to make the right call regarding the operations of schools. “The Sarawak Headmasters Council (MGBS) recommends that if schools need to be closed, it should be done […]