Cheap Tablets for Kids Online Learning (Below RM1,000)

With the number of daily Covid-19 cases hitting a 4-digit high every day, many parents prefer to keep their children at home and continue with home-based e-learning. However, there are many low-income families that cannot afford to provide their children with a personal laptop or tablet to access online lessons.

The results from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education showed that only 6% to 9% of students own a computer and/or tablet. And 37% of students don’t have any appropriate digital devices.

*Scroll to the bottom for more info about digital devices and data connectivity support for underprivileged students.

In hope that more students can get hold of a digital device so they won’t miss out on education during such tough times, we have waded through lots of companies selling affordable devices (most are old, underpowered and of questionable quality), and came up with a list of budget tablets** (below RM1,000) from more reliable brands.

**Prices, features, specifications and availability may vary at time of purchase.

The 2021 Budget outlined that government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies will contribute RM150 million into Tabung Cerdik to provide laptops, tablets and data connectivity to 150,000 students from low-income households in 500 schools to facilitate online learning. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, this initiative is set to rollout in February 2021. However, the latest news revealed that the devices will be given on loan for 12 months instead.  

The Jaringan Prihatin subsidy programme will provide the B40 group with a telecommunication credit of RM180 per person or RM15 per month to cover part of the cost of purchasing smart devices. This is expected to start in March 2021. Telecommunications companies will also offer free Wi-Fi access in general areas at 130 selected People’s Housing Projects (PPRs) nationwide until the end of next April. And the operating hours for all Community Internet Centres (PIK) (click here to check locations) will be extended to 9pm daily.

The Learn From Home initiative from the YTL Foundation offers to provide students from B40 families free phones with 120GB worth of data (10GB/month for 12 months) so that they can continue learning from home. Teachers are encouraged to submit nominations of underprivileged students who are in need of a digital device here. Applications end 30^th June 2021.