Tablet computers for 430,000 teachers by June

KUALA LUMPUR: The distribution of free tablets as a teaching aid for 430,000 teachers nationwide will be completed before June next year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Education minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said to date 182,712 units of tablets worth RM152 million had been issued to teachers in several states including Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya, Selangor and Perak.
"The tablet is for teachers to access question database and facilitate their task in preparing exercises for pupils aimed at improving the quality of learning and teaching," he said in response to a supplementary question from Sim Chee Keong (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).
To a supplementary question from Datuk Bung Mokhtar (BN-Kinabatangan) on broadband coverage particularly in interior schools, Kamalanathan said the ministry would work with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry on the best solution.
In response to Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) on best selling local publications in the market and sales percentage, the deputy minister said the top spot last year went to books on language published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, at 46.04%.
"Literary books came next (26.45%), followed by religious books (5.04%), health (4.79%) and agriculture (4.52%) ... all five types are popular and in demand by the public," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (IBTM) since 2012 had published books by 523 local authors, and a current pool of 2,300 translators, of whom only 500 were active. — Bernama