Education Minister: MVR 17.5 million spent on providing computers to schools

Minister of Education Dr Aishath Ali on Wednesday revealed that from 2019 till now, MVR 17.5 million has been spent on providing computers and laptops needed for schools.

During the Parliament session on Wednesday, the minister was questioned by Maavashu MP Mohamed Saeed regarding the air conditioner in the staff room of L.Hithadhoo School being damaged.

MP Saeed asked how long it would take to resolve the issue, and also inquired whether the ministry intends to increase computers in the staff room.

Responding to this, the minister said that when this administration took office, computers in many schools were old and damaged. She added that in over to solve this, a program was conducted to purchase computer systems, and currently are in the process of handing them over to schools.

She detailed that under this programme, as of now 862 computers and 420 laptops have been handed over to schools, adding that from 2019 till now, MVR 17.5 million was spent on this.

The programme was still ongoing, providing laptops and computers to schools, she said.

Additionally, she highlighted that three computers and two laptops have already been given to L.Hithadhoo from this programme in 2021.

Moreover, she noted that computers and issues such as fixing air conditioning will be attended to when the school reports it to the ministry.

“Those things will be provided when the request comes from the school. When I received this question, I called the school and inquired why despite it being damaged for so long, the issue was not shared with us.”

Furthermore, she stated that after the questioning, the school put in a request for an air conditioner in April, and it was approved within the same month. The school was granted permission to purchase an air conditioner.