Education Minister Maszlee Malik said of these, 9,786 or 96% of the schools comprising 6,684 in rural areas and 3,102 in urban areas, had been provided with services under the 1BestariNet programme.

“Meanwhile, 404 schools (4%) comprising 375 in rural areas and 29 in urban areas were equipped with internet access by providers like TM and Maxis,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Maszlee was replying to a question from Hasan Arifin (BN-Rompin) on complaints that there were schools, especially in the rural areas, which still did not have full internet access under the 1BestariNet programme.

He said in most cases, the rural schools which had low internet access under the 1BestariNet progamme were located outside the backhaul fibre coverage areas.

Maszlee said the internet speed in any given school was dependent on several factors, including student enrolment, the size of the school, the number of computer laboratories, geographical factors as well as the government’s financial situation.

“The government is aware that there are 1,578 schools which experience low internet access, especially schools in rural and interior areas as they still depend on ‘very small aperture terminal’ technology.

“However, the ministry is reviewing the 1BestariNet programme in a review conducted by the Centre for Technology and Communications Research and Development Centre, and by a third-party committee comprising experts from various tertiary institutions.

“The purpose of the review is to look at the effectiveness of the 1BestariNet programme which includes broadband needs in the future,” he said.

Maszlee added that the final report on the review would be tabled to the interested parties and used to develop a more innovative plan which would integrate appropriate technology to increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning in schools.