Why did Perak give 20,000 students smartphones with low specs?

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Perak Government's Rationale for Distributing Low-Specification Smartphones to Students

The Perak government provided 20,000 smartphones to students as part of the Tuisyen Cikgu Saarani (TCS) programme. The state government stated that these devices were intentionally equipped with low specifications to prevent students from engaging in non-educational activities such as gaming. This approach was announced by Perak Education, Higher Education and Human Resources Committee chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohammad Daud.
Intentional Limitation of Device Capabilities

The primary justification for the low specifications of the distributed smartphones was to ensure their use for educational purposes. Perak government officials indicated that the devices were designed to be basic to deter students from playing games. This decision aims to keep students focused on learning through the provided tools.
Technical Specifications of the Smartphones

Technology news site SoyaCincau reported that the smartphones in question featured a MediaTek 1.3GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. These specifications place the devices at the lower end of the smartphone market, limiting their ability to run demanding applications or multitasking efficiently.
Criticism Regarding Device Suitability

Despite the government's stated intentions, Amanah Youth's local chapter has criticised the provision of these smartphones. Mohd Ikhmal Mohd Iskandar, the communications director for Perak Amanah Youth, argued that the devices are poorly equipped and unsuitable for effective online learning. He drew a comparison between the leaders' thinking and the outdated Nokia 3310 era, contrasting it with the global advancement towards 5G technology.
Demand for Cost Transparency

Amanah Youth has also called for transparency regarding the financial aspect of the smartphone distribution. The organisation has demanded that the state government disclose the total cost incurred for the 20,000 smartphones. This request stems from concerns about the value and appropriateness of the devices provided to students.

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Why did Perak give 20,000 students smartphones with low specs?

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