KUCHING, May 11 – In a parliamentary session, Minister Fadhlina Sidek of the Ministry of Education (MoE) addressed the significant gap in digital skills between students in rural and urban areas, particularly in Sarawak. Fadhlina acknowledged that limited access and opportunities to develop digital skills put rural students at a disadvantage in today’s technology-driven world. The Digital Competency Score (DCS) 2023 report revealed lower average scores for rural school students compared to their urban counterparts, highlighting the pressing need to bridge this gap. To address these challenges, the MoE is implementing various measures to minimize the digital divide between rural and urban schools.
This includes providing high-speed Internet access, digital devices, and IT facilities to all schools progressively. Initiatives such as broadband access, fibre optic lines, and wireless broadband are being extended to thousands of schools across the country. Additionally, the ministry is enhancing ICT hardware in school computer labs and supporting teachers with laptops to facilitate digital learning. Pilot hybrid classes have also been introduced to promote the adoption of digital technology in the learning process. Through these efforts, the MoE aims to ensure equitable access to digital education for all students, regardless of their geographical location.
