The move to widen the use of computers as a teaching tool is expected to experience serious setbacks in Sabah and Sarawak. Without electricity supply, schools will not be able to adopt new learning techniques promoted under the new education policy.

Responding to a question by Jimmy Donald (BN-Sri Aman) at the Dewan Rakyat today, Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Mahadzir Mohd Khir said 463 schools in Sarawak and 393 in Sabah would be affected.

Under the policy, computer hardware and software would play a bigger role in learning activities and as teaching aids. Where schools cannot tap into the new methods, students are likely to be left behind.

Mahadzir, however, said the government was aware of the problems in Sabah and Sarawak and was trying its best to find solutions.

Generators for schools

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby later, Mahadzir acknowledged that the problems could not be resolved overnight.

"There is no timeframe for this, but the government hopes to extend electricity supply to all schools within the Eighth Malaysia Plan period (2001-2005)," he said.

Mahadzir said the government was working closely with the private sector to expedite progress in providing electricity supply to 309 schools in Sarawak and 364 in Sabah.

"The problem is that the schools are widely scattered in remote areas," he said.

While one solution would be to equip schools with "high quality" generators to power notebooks and computers, a better idea may be to group schools in remote areas and to have students stay in hostels.

Asked if any schools in peninsular Malaysia are facing a similar problem, Mahadzir said only a few schools do not have electricity supply.

"These schools are built for Orang Asli children," he said, adding that the government would rectify the situation.

Sufficient teachers

Mahadzir also said the ministry has received 40,000 applications for 5,000 vacancies for teachers. As many of the applicants are university graduates, he does not expect a shortage of qualified teachers.

In the case of remote areas, he said teachers posted to selected schools would receive a hardship allowance.

At the Umno general assembly in June, party president and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government has its own ways and means to ensure that the new education policy can be implemented in all schools.

Instead of using chalk and board, he said Malaysian teachers would be using computers and large screens with the right software.

However, opposition leaders, education movement groups, academicians, non-governmental organisation and individuals had expressed skepticism.

Some pointed out that the extensive use of technology would only widen the gap between rural and urban students, especially since schools in remote areas still lack basic infrastructure such as electricity supply.