PUTRAJAYA: The lease-to-use approach for the procurement of laptops and technology devices for schools can reduce the burden of maintaining such equipment, says Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
He said the approach is one of the transformation efforts to optimize the use of laptops and related devices such as projectors and printers, in line with the instructional digitalization needs at educational institutions.
“Suppliers will repair the damaged devices and this can ease the burden of schools, especially school administrators,” he told a press conference after officiating an education transformation program at SMK Putrajaya Presint 18 (1) here yesterday.
At the event, a total of 25 schools received devices from Radzi.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Equipment Lease to Use Project, implemented earlier this year, is divided into three phases, with the first phase, which involves 3,910 schools nationwide, almost 90% complete.
The second phase involves 3,455 schools and is expected to be completed in early 2023, while the third phase, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023, will be carried out in 3,400 schools, Bernama reported.
Radzi said a total of RM1.3bil was allocated for the project, with the supply of equipment done according to zones to enable vendors to repair the damaged devices quickly.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry would also implement a hybrid class pilot project involving 550 classrooms in 110 schools by providing high-speed Internet access in classrooms.
“With the presence of hybrid classes, schools will be able to organize cross-learning with other schools and it can strengthen the delivery of existing teaching and learning.
“We are now in the final process of selecting the schools and we hope to be able to implement the program in November,” he said.
In another development, Radzi said his ministry was also in the process of completing the digital education policy and it could be tabled to the Cabinet soon.
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