WHEN it comes to education, apart from disrupting the learning journey of students, COVID-19 also widened the gap of learning inequality between those of different socioeconomic status.
In fact, the Ministry of Education (MoE) reported that over 900,000 students are losing access to the education they deserve due to the lack of devices needed for e-learning.
Due to this, Siemens Malaysia, donated 163 used laptops to the Computer Empowerment Programme (CEP), an initiative by the Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (MACO), in attempts to equip underprivileged students in the B40 group with the tools they need for their home-based learning.
Being a non-profit organisation started by a group of specialist doctors and non-medical volunteers, MACO launched CEP to enable more students to get access to digital devices that can be used for e-learning.
The programme is made possible due to MACO’s efforts of collecting used laptops and refurbishing them into working condition before donating to the students.
“We believe this joint effort with MACO will make a difference, not only in students’ education but also for the environment as it gives the laptops a second life,” said Siemens Malaysia president and CEO Adam Yee.
“In addition to the company’s donation, we asked our employees to donate personal laptops that they are no longer using. It’s an opportunity for them to personally contribute to society and practise the 3Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle,” he added.
Meanwhile, MACO spokesperson Datin Dr. Low Pek See commented: “The goal of MACO has always been to extend help to whoever needs it and to touch lives. We know that we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – June 19, 2021
