Maxis Berhad continues to foster digital inclusion and provide opportunities for students in rural communities to improve their academic performance through its flagship eKelas programme.
Recently, the telecommunications company awarded its Anugerah Gemilang (student grant award) for 2019 to 75 most improved eKelas students, triple the number of recipients from the previous year.
Maxis chief executive officer Gokhan Ogut said the company was encouraged by the improvements that students were making in their studies, which is one of the objectives of the programme.
"We look forward to expanding the eKelas to even more locations and schools to benefit students and the community," he said.
Available since 2015, eKelas exposes students to experiential learning through a combination of live tutorials, group learning and competitions, as well as access to digital content on the eKelas portal.
Anugerah Gemilang, meanwhile, was launched in 2017 as a student grant scheme under the programme, aimed at motivating and inspiring students to achieve their academic goals.
To qualify for the award, eKelas students must achieve a minimum of one grade improvement in two or all three of the subjects taught in eKelas in their school examinations. This entitles them to receive RM600 and RM1,200 for those improvements respectively which are channeled to the recipients' National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) accounts.
Currently impacting 14,000 students, Maxis eKelas is being delivered at 80 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Internet Centres located across 10 states in Malaysia. The centres serve as digital hubs for communities in underserved areas.
Having only started the eKelas programme in its community in mid-2019, Kodiang Internet Centre, Kedah hosted one the highest number of recipients for the grant.
Award recipient Mohamad Aimin Nik Mohamed from SMK Tunku Bendahara, Kodiang, who achieved 7As in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia last year, said, "I am very thankful for eKelas which helped a lot in my revision and studies."
Mohamad Aimin's mother, Zainab Majid was very happy that Maxis introduced the eKelas programme to their community.
"My son joined the programme to get additional support as he was sitting for SPM last year. eKelas really helped him to understand his subjects better," she said.
Form One student Pengiran Reoylinston Romingstone who was one of six eKelas students from the small village of Kampung Quop, Kuching who received the grant, was thrilled to hear the good news.
"I like learning with eKelas because I can hold discussions with friends and follow live tutorials by the teachers. Other than that, I can share knowledge as well as exchange ideas whenever we discuss things with my group," said Pengiran Reoylinston.
With 23 schools joining the programme last year, it is set to reach out to an additional 50 schools this year.