STU president Macky Joseph said the federal education ministry should set up a “think tank” to come up with innovative ways to deliver educational services to the children under the new norms, especially to children in remote areas of Sarawak.
“We must provide free internet access to enable all students, both rural and urban, to attend online classes as no child should be left behind in their education,” he told FMT.
His remarks come in the wake of reports of a teacher in Lubok Antu, who led the children in his longhouse on a hike for three hours to get an internet signal so that they could continue their lessons.
Joseph said that although schools were closed, home-based learning continues, where teachers have to conduct online classes.
Although many teachers had gone the extra mile to help students without internet access, he said, the relevant parties must act promptly to resolve the issue of online learning, especially for those living in the longhouses or rural villages in Sarawak.
The Sibu Kenyah Uma Baha Women’s Association said children living in the rural villages and longhouses would be left out as schools continue to close.
The association’s chairman, Umie Liau, said most rural children did not have internet access at home or electronic devices with which to resume their studies through online learning.
“Most of the rural areas have either poor internet connections or no internet connection at all. Besides, their parents are mostly small farmers and informal workers who can’t afford to provide the gadgets for their children to study online.
“(Even before the pandemic) their incomes were just enough to put food on the table. They won’t be able to afford to provide gadgets for their children during this difficult time.
“This is sad but true for the majority of Sarawak parents in rural areas or longhouses,” she said.
Umie urged the federal and state governments to address the issue immediately, “otherwise, these rural children would be left behind in their studies compared with those who have the privilege to study online”.