PENANG ZAKAT DISTRIBUTES 8,740 TABLETS TO 263 SCHOOLS

GEORGE TOWN, April 11 (Bernama) -- Penang Zakat (ZPP), through its Special Projects Division, has distributed 8,740 tablets to 263 schools across the state, at a total cost of RM6.5 million.

Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, said that the initiative was part of ZPP’s collaboration with the state Education Department to enhance the digital learning ecosystem in schools - particularly among Muslim students - to ensure they are not left behind in the wave of modern educational transformation.

He said that the tablets would be used to access digital textbooks and support the implementation of smart classrooms, in line with 21st Century Learning (PAK-21), specifically targeting students from B40 families in the asnaf categories of fakir (hardcore poor) miskin (poor) and fisabilillah (those working for Islam or for general good).

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“The world is rapidly transitioning into the digital age, and understanding technology has become essential. Therefore, the ability to adapt is especially critical in the education sector, as we aim for our students not only to be tech-savvy but also globally competitive,” he said.

“Comprehensive infrastructure - including smart classrooms, hybrid classrooms, and other digital tools—must be prioritised to ensure digital learning is carried out effectively and inclusively, “ he said at the tablet presentation ceremony, held here today.

Mohamad, who is also the president of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), said that the religious agency played a key role in the tablet sponsorship initiative, aligning with the government’s digital education policy.

He said that the sponsorship was approved by the Penang State Fatwa Committee, which ruled that the use of zakat funds from the Tawaqquf Fund for educational purposes is permissible.

He added that the initiative reflects the state government’s ongoing commitment - through MAINPP - in realising the goals of Penang2030, demonstrating that the state’s transformation agenda is not solely focused on physical infrastructure, but also on the intellectual and personal development of its people.

“The Penang government, through the state Islamic Religious Development Agenda 2030 (APAI2030), remains committed to building a holistic, progressive, and inclusive Islamic education ecosystem. This extends beyond human capital development and academic excellence,” he said.

“It also includes technological advancement, socio-economic empowerment, and the strengthening of religious institutions as centres of reference and drivers of community transformation,” he added.

-- BERNAMA