Mp Urges Telcos To Provide Care Package For Students

---

 


Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub urged telecommunication companies to make Internet access cheaper for students who need to study online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Salahuddin said they should come up with a special package, particularly for low-income families.
"Don't wait for the government to instruct you. My appeal is for telcos to pay it forward.
"It's just for the interim, so children can continue learning (away from school)," he said, suggesting that the telcos adopt the name "care package" for their product.

School is still in session throughout the country with classes brought online. Earlier this year, Putrajaya struck a deal with telcos to provide free 1GB of mobile data for educational purposes.

According to the Communications and Multimedia Commission, the 1GB can only be used for video conferencing and email.
However, it is often pointed out that 1GB is typically just enough for an hour or two of zoom video conferencing calls, depending on the number of participants.
Some telcos have also come up with data packages specifically for SPM and STPM examination candidates as well as university students for as low as RM20 for 15GB a month.


Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub
Salahuddin said these initiatives were good but they were not enough based on feedback from his constituents.

"For instance, those who operate food stalls or factory workers who are laid off can't afford gadgets and data plans.
"They have problems feeding themselves, let alone providing the tools for online learning, hence my appeal," he added. - Mkini

---