Excerpted from Berita Mediacorp
A total of 83 madrasah students from low income families received refurbished laptops through a collaboration between MUIS and volunteer group, SG Bono to help students do their homework online and learn from home.
Eight students received their refurbished laptops in AUGUST at an event held at Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah (MAI)
According to Deputy Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Mr Kadir Maideen Mohamed, the problem of lack of laptops becomes more apparent when students have to follow home learning (HBL).
Local madrasahs conduct HBL at least once per school term to enable students and teachers to adapt to online learning.
“With the shortage of laptops, we need help from the community to support our Madrasah students. The community has helped a lot by providing laptops, however there are still shortages,” said Mr. Kadir.
“With that, we are directly working with IMDA which connects us with SG Bono,” he added.
Mr. Kadir is proud of this collaboration because it means that needy students will receive a laptop for free and be able to go through online learning better..
EQUIPPING MADRASAH STUDENTS WITH TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS
So far, SG Bono has distributed 40 refurbished laptops to students of Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah, Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Al-Maarif Al-Islamiah.
In addition to refurbishing laptops and giving them to students in need, SG Bono also plans to equip madrasah students with basic technology skills.
“Moving forward, we will try and see if we can train volunteers and madrasah students – such as those who have received refurbished laptops from us, to do basic laptop repair work,” said Ms Felicia Seah, a member SG Bono Executive Committee
Among those who received their laptops today was Secondary 3 student of MAI, Nur Herlyn Marsha.
SEVEN SIBLINGS SHARE ONE LAPTOP
Prior to this, Nur Herlyn had to share a laptop with six other siblings. Now, it is easier for her to do school assignments and attend classes online with her own laptop.
“We used to have only one laptop at home. It is difficult to use because it needs to be shared because sometimes we have to use it at the same time,” shared Nur Herlyn, who is the fourth child among her siblings.
Nur Herlyn wanted to have her own laptop but her family’s financial position did not allow it.
Her father is Grab driver while her mother works as a Security Management Officer in the migrant workers dormitory to support their seven children.
During HBL, Nur Herlyn also faced another challenge – finding space to focus on online classes in a two-room HDB.
With the laptop gifted by SG Bono, the 15 year old student feels relieved and happy.
She no longer has to wait for her turn to use a laptop to finish her school work that needs to be done online.
“Thank you for giving me this laptop because it is so beneficial for me,” Nur Herlyn said.
MAKE SURE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND
The Minister of State for Communication and Information and National Development, Mr Tan Kiat How, who was also present at the official event for distribution of laptops, described the joint venture between SG Bono and MUIS as something very meaningful.
“This is truly the spirit of the Digital for Life movement, uniting corporations, organizations, individuals and government agencies so that everyone can benefit from digital technology and we are not leaving anyone behind,” Mr Tan said.
But for Mr Tan, giving digital access through the gift of this laptop is just a start.
“We want to make sure our young people can explore cyberspace safely and this is why we are bringing other partners together for the Digital for Life movement to work with MUIS and madrasahs to guide educators and students on digital literacy and well-being, ”shared Mr Tan.
The refurbished laptops distributed by SG Bono are the result of corporate and individual donations.
People who want to donate their used laptops can do so at several locations including Kampong Chai Chee Community Club, Fengshan, Siglap and Bedok.
Apart from madrasah students, SG Bono also helps other students from underprivileged families, who need laptops for learning purposes.
Excerpted from Berita Mediacorp, on 31/08/2021. Read the original article here: https://berita.mediacorp.sg/mobilem/singapura/lebih-80-pelajar-madrasah-terima-komputer-riba-diperbaharui/4650954.html
Resources