Kota Kinabalu: State Education, Science and Innovation (KSTI) Minister Datuk James Ratib will push to secure all 45,000 laptop applications from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for schools across the state.
He said the initiative would cover secondary, primary and pre-school levels, with laptops assigned to schools and managed through facilities such as resource rooms.
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“MCMC would also supply smart boards to support digital learning in classrooms,” he told a press conference after a meeting with the State Education Department at the KSTI office on Wednesday.
James said Sabah has about 1,300 schools, and the aim is to equip classrooms with smart boards and provide teachers with training in digital teaching methods.
He added that MCMC will also provide Starlink satellite connectivity to 68 schools without internet access, as well as solar power systems for schools without electricity supply.
“Our aim is to ensure Sabah is not left significantly behind in technological development, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, compared with Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak,” he said.
He said the Sabah Education Department will consolidate the outcomes of the discussions before a formal submission is made to the MCMC minister.
On the number of laptops, James said the request for 45,000 units is based on needs identified by the Sabah Education Department and will be subject to MCMC approval.
He added that there is no confirmed estimate yet for the overall cost, but described it as a substantial contribution by MCMC to Sabah’s education sector.
On student travel to Peninsular Malaysia for further studies, James said the state education fund will continue to assist eligible students, while proposals for airfare discounts with airlines are being discussed by the relevant agencies.
