GLIC/GLC spearheads the CERDIK Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) pilot initiative to enable digital learning among B40 students
The first tranche of devices to be delivered from February 2021.
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 January 2021: The CERDIK initiative, which will provide digital access comprising laptops, tablets, and data connectivity to students from lower-income families, is set to roll-out from February 2021. The initiative will involve contributions worth RM150 million from 13 GLICs/GLCs, representing companies under Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”), Permodalan Nasional Berhad (“PNB”), Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (“KWSP”), and Petronas.
CERDIK was announced in Budget 2021 as a pilot initiative which will be fully funded by the GLICs/GLCs. The measure is aimed to help students from lower-income families adapt to the new norm of online lessons, e-learning and outside-classroom teaching.
Yayasan Hasanah, the impact-based foundation of Khazanah, is the secretariat of the CERDIK initiative. The foundation will administer the contributions, in cash and kind, from participating companies while working in partnership with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
For CERDIK, the student and school selection are determined by the MOE, which has also carefully decided on the hardware and software specifications to ensure a more sustainable implementation including warranty support, usability, and longer shelf life for future digital learning.
“We want to bridge the learning gap between those who can afford digital devices and those who cannot. Furthermore, we hope that this initiative will also pilot digital learning models for future adoptions,” MOE secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah bin Mohd Yusof said.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Hasanah’s Managing Director Puan Shahira Ahmed Bazari shared that the foundation is deeply committed to supporting innovative and scalable learning models that promote equity and level the playing field to enable access to quality learning for all.
“Hasanah has been working very closely with MOE in the design of the CERDIK initiative to ensure its sustainable implementation. CERDIK will roll-out the first tranche of devices from February onwards. We are working hard with all parties to accelerate the pace of distribution. We are humbled to lead this initiative with MOF, MOE and our GLIC-GLC partners to make a difference during these trying times.” she explained.
Since 2010, Yayasan Hasanah and Khazanah Nasional Berhad have also been working with the MOE on various system-level educational initiatives to support inclusive education for students in Malaysia.
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ABOUT YAYASAN HASANAH
In December 2013, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) incorporated a sister entity, Yayasan Hasanah (“Hasanah”), as an enhanced and more strategic approach to value distribution. While Khazanah has been involved in Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) initiatives since 2006, the establishment of Hasanah marks a new chapter in Khazanah’s institutionalisation, ongoing transformation and capacity building efforts for the nation, in support of the national transformation agenda. Hasanah’s vision is to help create real and lasting positive social and environmental changes for Malaysia through our work in five focus areas: Education; Community Development; Environment; Arts, Heritage and Culture; and Knowledge. For further information, please visit www.yayasanhasanah.org
ABOUT CERDIK
CERDIK is a GLC-driven CSR initiative announced in the Budget 2021 to provide digital access comprising laptops, tablet computers, data connectivity, and an e-learning platform worth RM150 million. In partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the initiative is fully funded by Government Linked Companies (GLCs), Government Linked Investment Companies (GLICs), and the private sector and it seeks to enable continuous learning in the new norm and provide education access to the most marginalised school children.
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