BY NATASHA JEE & SHARIFAH NONG-JASIMA
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will increase its allocation for the digital device purchase scheme to improve students’ access to higher education and better support their learning needs.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the allocation would be used for purchasing digital devices such as iPads and laptops to support learning, following growing demand.
“We conducted a study and found that today’s students are more interested in downloading digital books onto their iPads as reference materials, while demand for physical books has declined.
“Therefore, I have instructed the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Annuar Rapaee, to increase the allocation for iPad purchases.
“At the same time, however, we will need to reduce the allocation for book vouchers. God willing, this matter will be announced in the upcoming state budget presentation,” he said.
He said this during the inaugural Sarawak Premier’s Best Book Award ceremony organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch at Waterfront Hotel here last night (May 23).
Abang Johari further said such a move is to ensure that educational technology needs are met, in line with changing trends in how students access reference materials, with most now favouring digital technology and devices over physical books.
Through Yayasan Sarawak, the state government has introduced the Free Laptop initiative and Book Voucher Assistance to support underprivileged Sarawakian students in institutions of higher learning, in line with the goal of providing free higher education.
In addition, he also stressed the importance of higher education as a continuous effort to eradicate poverty and improve socio-economic conditions, particularly among rural communities.
“To reduce poverty, knowledge is the key. As the Chinese proverb goes – If you want to feed your child a fish, teach them how to catch one.
“This is why the Sarawak government is introducing free tertiary education at university level starting next year.
“Some may ask why we are willing to allocate such a large budget for the sake of acquiring knowledge. The answer is simple – it is the most effective way to eradicate poverty. There is no other way except through education,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari said that while Sarawak is blessed with abundant natural resources, these assets cannot be fully harnessed without the application of knowledge.
“If we want to reduce poverty, especially in rural communities, we must apply knowledge and technology to make full use of these natural assets.
“For example, in Lubok Punggor, Gedong, paddy yields increased from one metric tonne per hectare in the first season to nine metric tonnes using technological approaches.
“This proves that knowledge and technology are the key to improving agricultural output and increasing income,” he said.
