Just recently, The Communications and Multimedia minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa announced that tablets under the PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia programme have to be returned to the respective institutions after the students have graduated.
On his Twitter account yesterday, Syed Saddiq slammed Annuar’s decision as he thinks it is not only confusing the students but also the parents.
“Why are you only announcing this when the date of application is 5 days away?” Saddiq questions.
The founder of MUDA also questioned why is PerantiSiswa a loan scheme and not an investment in the students as the tablets will still be used even after their graduations, especially when it comes to job hunting.
A tedious process
Saddiq added that if the students are expected to return the tablets at the end of their studies, it will involve a tedious process. For instance, after the tables are returned, the condition of each and every device has to be checked. If damages are found, then it is another waiting game for the device to be fixed.
“Tablets are unlike the PCs. It’s not easy to change the hardware. Tablets usually have the shelf life of 4 to 5 years before it becomes slower & outdated with the current software”, he explained and said that it usually takes 4 years for a student to graduate.
Saddiq then urged the government to reconsider the plan as he believes the students deserve the best.
INGAT BERI LAPTOP, RUPANYA BAGI PINJAM SAHAJA.
Skim PerantiSiswa ni last-last jadi macam inisiatif Cerdik.
Bukan pemberian, tapi pinjaman.
Cukup kelirukan pelajar-pelajar & mak ayah.
Kerajaan kena bertelus demi pendidikan pelajar-pelajar. pic.twitter.com/VAz9RC0mgL
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) April 10, 2022
A tablet or a laptop is crucial for students as it does not only help during online learning but also after they have graduated, which can still be used if the devices are taken care of. Do you think the PerantiSiswa should stay as a loan scheme or it should be given away to the students?
Also read: Negeri Sembilan MB Will Be Giving Away 500 Units of Laptops To Eligible STPM & Public Uni Students
