Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has donated 24,000 computers worth 60 billion VND (2.62 million USD) to the programme “Song va may tinh cho em” (Internet connection and computers for children) which was launched on September 12 to provide computers and telecom services for students and pupils with difficult circumstances.

The Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) also announced a donation of 25 billion VND, equivalent to 10,000 computers, to the programme.

The programme aims to mobilise 1 million computers, and ensure mobile service coverage at all 283 points without mobile Internet connection in localities that are applying social distancing regulations, and 1,910 other places nationwide.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, as of September 12, online teaching and learning had been deployed in 26 out of 63 provinces and cities across the country. The total number of students joining online studying is estimated at 7.35 million, of them 1.5 million do not have computers.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Pham Xuan Tien, said that amidst complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector determines that online learning and teaching is a stable and effective solution and may continue for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to equip learning devices for students to learn independently.

To that end, the department launched the “Computers for Children” Programme to encourage organisations and individuals to donate learning aids for students with difficult circumstances. In just one week after the opening of the new academic year, the programme collected 2,345 computers and devices for online learning.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, the programme collected over 2,000 computers, smart phones and equipment.

Source: Vietnam News Agency