Other languages may be used in e-books

Friday June 5, 2009
Other languages may be used in e-books

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government is studying the option of incorporating Arabic, Mandarin and other Asian languages as a holistic learning tool in its recently-introduced digital textbooks or e-books for primary school pupils.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said told Star Metro that the state would seek the expertise of linguists in adding the language options into the e-books.

“We hope to provide a wide-range of language syllabuses for our pupils through this inclusion,” he said.

The e-books are expected to replace school bags for 25,000 Year Five pupils in Terengganu. The first batch of 15,000 pupils in Primary Five will receive the e-books after the June school break.

Ahmad said the state hoped to provide a conducive learning environment through the e-books.

“The e-books will be crucial for pupils to keep pace with the magnitude of global information and communication technology,” he added.

Ahmad said the e-books would give comprehensive coverage on the study of Islamic study.

They will be distributed statewide by the respective district education officers to the Year Five pupils on June 14.

The state has invested RM15mil in the e-book scheme as a long-term plan to mould computer literacy in primary school pupils.

Ahmad said the scheme would be similar to the free text book programme as the pupils were required to return the e-books at the end of the school session in November. star