KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 50,889 or 7.9% of the 646,094 students of public universities, polytechnics and community colleges, have remained on campuses as of Nov 16.
This is despite the registration and admission process for students to these learning institutions being postponed.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Mansor Othman said 113,297 students were also on the campuses of private institutions of higher learning (IPTS).
“Even though the face-to-face registration and admission process for new and old students to the campuses, planned for implementation last October, have been postponed, the ministry has given special consideration for students who have to remain on campus.
“These students include those who need technical facilities, such as laboratory facilities on campus, those who need a conducive environment or have internet access problems. This allows them to continue learning online.”
He said this in response to a question from Azizah Mohd Dun (PPBM-Beaufort) who wanted to know the actual number of IPTA and IPTS students still on campus after the announcement of the postponement of their registration during the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
To a supplementary question from Azizah on the ministry’s efforts to ensure students at home do not lag behind, Mansor said the government had ascertained that 871 internet centres under the supervision of the communications and multimedia ministry were used for the purpose.
Apart from that, the government also provided internet access data plan and electronic devices to public university students from B40 families, as well as cash assistance of RM50 to all new students for the 2020/2021 session. -FMT