KOTA DAMANSARA: Both adults and students at Pangsa Indah flats have been given the opportunity to acquire IT skills thanks to a new computer centre set up at their door step.
The Pangsa Indah Residents’ Association has begun offering five computer classes every Sunday to children and adults at a monthly fee of RM20 since Feb 5.
“All the classes are full,” said the centre’s instructor Hidayati Omar, 31, who is a professional IT teacher and flat resident.
Other interested residents at the 140-unit flats would have to wait till the current 50 students, ranging from seven year-olds to working adults, complete their module on Microsoft Word before they can enrol.
Kota Damansara state assemblyperson Dr Nasir Hashim donated RM46,000 to buy 11 new computers and convert a room on the ground floor into the centre.
The Parti Sosialis Malaysia chief said it was the first time his service centre had borne the cost to construct a computer lab at a low-cost flat, at the request of the community.
“Other resident groups at low-cost apartments can submit similar requests to us but they must be active groups.
“We want to ensure they’ll be able to sustain the computer centre, including the electricity and maintenance cost, subsequently,” he told Selangor Times.
One of the students, Emira Natasya, 16, hopes to improve her computer knowledge by attending the weekly computer class for Forms Four and Five students.
“I know how to use Microsoft Word at a basic level, but I hope to learn more advanced skills from a proper instructor through this class,” said Emira, a Form Four student at SM Subang Bestari.
Meanwhile, her sister Nur Aleeya Shahera, 7, from SK Subang Bestari is also enrolled in another class for Year One to Three pupils.
Hidayati said younger students like Nur Aleeya start by learning drawing to train their motor skills.
“Once they’re familiar with the mouse and keyboard, we can teach them more.”
She added that once the Microsoft Word module is completed, the residents’ association plans to have lessons on Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint next.
Meanwhile, Dr Nasir also gave out RM150 angpow to reward Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) scorers and RM100 angpow to Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) high achievers last year.
He also handed out 70 bags sponsored by the state to selected students at the event.
