KOTA KINABALU: As computers have already become a rigid demand in workplaces nowadays, it is necessary to include such courses in our primary school curriculum, said Gee Tien Siong, Community Development Leader (PPM) of Luyang.
“Primary school is the golden stage for children to learn and get exposure to new things. It is very important to let them get in touch with technological products, especially the rigidly-needed computer, at this stage of growth, for their better future development.
Gee, who is also a vice president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said as our country is becoming a developed country, all citizens must have certain computer knowledge and operating skills in order to be competitive on the international stage.
“The world has entered the era of artificial intelligence (AI), programming and coding appliances will become the mainstream. If the Malaysian new generation is unfamiliar with computers, I am afraid that we will be eliminated in technological advancement.
Gee said many student parents and teachers requested the previously-established computer classes for primary schools to be restored and resumed by the Ministry of Education.
Leong Vun Ling, 40 years old, a catering business owner, said her teenage son and daughter have taken computer classes during the primary school stage, but her younger son who is currently studying in primary school does not have such opportunity.
“For the two teenage children, I asked them to help with some letters and documents, or even design the menu for my restaurant, they can handle it nicely.
“The younger one only knows how to use a mobile phone. His keyboard typing is very slow, and he can’t even make a printer work,” said Leong.
She said although mobile phones can be used to surf the Internet, socialise and obtain multimedia information, they cannot perform all the functions of a computer, such as printing, file management, layout design, et cetera.-pr/BNN
