The Perak Menteri Besar posing for a group photo with students who received the smartphone aid at the Smartphone Handover Launch Ceremony at Dato' Ahmad Hambal Hall in Bota.

PARIT, 1 April 2021- The Perak State Government under the Cikgu Saarani Tuition Programme initiative has launched the Perak State Level Smartphone Presentation in conjunction with the Menteri Besar-With-Rakyat (MESRA) Programme at the Parit Parliamentary Constituency.

The initiative was a contribution from the YTL Foundation and an effort from State Education, Higher Education and Human Resources Committee Chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Daud to empower the education of students from low-income (B40) families.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Saarani Mohamad said a total of 20,000 units of smartphones and sim cards with free data plan of 10GB per month for one year will be given to selected students.

“Besides that, 50,000 sim cards with 40GB data plan for 60 days will be given to 50,000 selected students throughout the districts in Perak.

"So in total, a total of 70,000 students or schoolchildren in Perak will benefit from the initiative which will be carried out in stages starting today," he said.

He said this in a press conference at the Perak State Level Smartphone Presentation Ceremony at Dato' Ahmad Hambal Hall in Bota here.

Also present were State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Education, Higher Education and Human Resource Committee Chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Daud, State Youth, Sports, Communications and Multimedia Committee Chairman cum ADUN Bota Khairul Shahril Mohamed, Parit Member of Parliament Dato' Mohd Nizar Zakaria and YTL Corporation Berhad Executive Director Syed Abdullah Alhadad. 

Dato' Saarani clarified that although the school session started last March, the state government remains committed in ensuring that students, especially the less fortunate, can make full use of the aid provided to improve their academic performance via online learning methods. 

“To restore the glory of Perak as a major education centre, various plans have been drafted to improve students' academic achievement whether in the short or long term under the Cikgu Saarani initiative, which is being intensified. 

"Besides that, we will continue to stay focused to ensure that no group is marginalised in the inclusive education system to unlock the potential of every student through the provision of quality education,” he said. 

Earlier, the Menteri Besar attended a Get-Together Programme with People Under Supervision (OKP). 

At the programme, he took the time to give support and encouragement to OKPs who are in the process of recovery not to give up in their lives.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.