STAR ICT Lab Not Completed
The construction of computer laboratories in eight schools in three states, namely Perak, Johor and the Federal Territory has yet to be fully completed within the time frame stipulated in December last year, while construction work on one laboratory has yet to start.
The Auditor-General's Report 2010 disclosed that the contractor for Johor state had his contract terminated for failing to complete the project while construction of the computer laboratory at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh, Perak had not been completed.
Although the government had planned to implement 27 computer laboratories in Smart Schools in four states with a total cost of RM20.59 million, its effectiveness to the users had yet to be achieved.
The Audit Report found that the design for Smart Schools was not practical because the window screens were made of polycarbonate with mild steel which could be easily broken and did not last long.
The ICT equipment and furniture had also not been supplied to all the eight schools visited.
Besides the installation of the suspended gypsum plasterboard ceiling outside the laboratories costing RM12,000 which were deemed impractical, the lack of roof on the emergency staircase resulted in the steps being wet and slippery during the rain.
The Audit Report found that there were also weaknesses in the teaching and learning with regard to the handling of computer hardware and software.
The Auditor-General has recommended that the ministry intensified monitoring on the status of construction and project quality and ensure that the contractors concerned carried out rehabilitation on abandoned projects to ensure that the weaknesses could be rectified and the computer laboratories could be utilised efficiently and effectively - BERNAMA