Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Education (MOE) is determined to bridge the digital divide in the implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026-2035 by strengthening infrastructure across all its educational institutions, regardless of whether they are located in urban or rural areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh stated that all schools are targeted to be equipped with high-speed internet connectivity using appropriate approaches and technologies. The aim is to ensure all students achieve at least an intermediate level of digital competency based on the Digital Competency Score.
He elaborated that the effort would be bolstered through the Digital Education Policy and the use of the Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (DELIMa) platform, which provides digital learning materials for both students and teachers. Wong emphasized that all digital materials and inputs have been uploaded to the DELIMa platform, and to support this effort, schools will be equipped with high-speed internet facilities. This is vital to ensure students and teachers have direct access to the internet and the digital education agenda.
Wong further mentioned that the MOE ensures the distribution of digital devices and educational resources is carried out fairly and equitably to all schools, aiming to reduce the access gap between urban and rural areas. In response to a question from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau), Wong highlighted that under the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2013-2025, the gap in the average grade score for the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination between urban and rural students had been reduced by 26.23 per cent.
Additionally, the gender gap in eligibility to obtain the SPM certificate decreased by 52.78 per cent, while the gap based on socioeconomic status recorded a reduction of 57.75 per cent. To continue this achievement, Wong asserted that the MOE would ensure access to quality education is improved nationwide, with a focus on infrastructure development and the upgrading of dilapidated schools according to local needs.
Meanwhile, Wong noted that teacher well-being remains a ministry focus, with seven measures introduced since 2023 to reduce teachers' workload continuing to be strengthened. This includes the removal of overlapping and unnecessary record-keeping processes.