PETALING JAYA: A joint effort by GoCare, CRSM and MCA Youth targets to assist 10,000 students from the B40 group to fully benefit from the Jaringan Prihatin programme.

       This is part of efforts to ensure that no one will be left behind in the digitalisation of education.

       The initiative is in tandem with the Jaringan Prihatin programme implemented by the Finance Ministry and YTL Foundation’s Learn From Home Initiative to help B40 students apply for a free phone and Internet data.

       In a virtual sharing on the Lets GoCare Facebook page, MCA Youth Varsity Affairs Consultative Committee chief Lim Soon Pin said the current situation saw many families facing difficulties when their children had to undergo remote learning at home.

       “As most children are currently carrying out classroom activities from home, they will require a proper device along with sufficient Internet data.

       “This can be difficult, especially for families with several children, as each child is required to have their own device to participate in classes efficiently,” he said.

       Lim said there were currently two packages under the programme. One package is catered for individuals and another for families.

       “Those who intend to apply should check their current area’s coverage. We also urge those in need to apply for the plan before Sept 30,” he said.

       Additionally, Lim said the programme was targeted at primary, secondary and university students along with those from the B40 community.

       Also present were CRSM Johor chief Tai Chee How and CRSM Centre Committee Ng Sing Phing.

       As the cost of preparing individual SIM cards and smartphones for each student was high, Tai said that Johor CRSM and the Johor MCA Youth division had stepped in to help the students.

       “We also cooperated with several non-governmental organisations to provide about 1,300 free SIM cards for primary school students in Johor,” he said.

       Ng, who hosted the session, encouraged members of the public to share this initiative with those in need.

       Registration for this initiative is set to close on Sept 30. For more details or to register, visit https://gocare.org.my/product/free-phones/ or contact the GoCare hotline at 016-539 9178.