Miri MP calls for nationwide digital infrastructure overhaul in schools

Borneo Post

17-05-2025

(From left) Dahlan, Alhadi, Chiew and Ko pose with one of the interactive smart boards donated to SMK Merbau.
MIRI (May 17): A more comprehensive national approach to digital education is needed, as quality digital infrastructure in schools should no longer be viewed as a luxury but a basic necessity, said Miri MP Chiew Choon Man.
He visited SMK Merbau recently to observe the implementation of a project under the People's Friendly Project (Projek Mesra Rakyat) for the Miri constituency. Through this initiative, he presented the school with two interactive smart boards and one multimedia projector.
According to him, the new digital tools aimed to enhance the students' learning experiences and align classroom teaching with current technological advancements.
'These interactive smart boards, equipped with Android and Windows systems and 4K UHD displays, are not just tools – they are catalysts for a more interactive, visual, and effective learning process. They represent a strategic move toward the digital transformation of our schools,' he said.
Chiew stressed that access to quality education must be equitable, regardless of whether students live in urban or rural areas.
'Our children deserve facilities that prepare them to compete globally, wherever they are,' he noted.
He expressed hope that teachers would embrace the new technology to deliver more engaging and innovative lessons, while students use the tools as gateways to knowledge and creativity.
However, he also acknowledged the challenges of meeting the digital needs in all schools, citing limited constituency funding.
In view of this, he urged the federal government to implement a long-term, integrated plan to ensure that all schools – including those in rural areas – have access to essential digital infrastructure.
'Digital education is no longer optional. We must not allow the digital divide between urban and rural schools to widen.
'This gap undermines access to knowledge and denies students the opportunity to grow in an ecosystem comparable to that of developed nations,' he warned.
Chiew said that he will bring the issue to Parliament, advocating for a national policy that places digitalisation of education on equal footing with current efforts to improve dilapidated schools.
His proposal includes provisions for smart classrooms, high-speed internet, teacher training in digital pedagogy, and the alignment of digital content with the national curriculum.
'With a united effort and clear planning, I believe we can build an education system that is truly Madani – inclusive, progressive, and ready for the future,' he concluded.
Present to welcome Chiew during his visit to SMK Merbau were Senior Assistant (Student Affairs) Dahlan Suliman, Senior Assistant (Co-curriculum) Alhadi Ekni, and Senior Assistant (Form 6) Ko Lee Fang. Chiew Choon Man digital education infrastructure lead schools