Working towards quality e-community

By Natasha Ilyas
streets@nstp.com.my
2011/02/15

KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Kuala Lumpur programme is gearing towards implementing and achieving e-Bandar Raya status, a quality community.
LA21 KL programme is the result of an agreement signed in 1992 between 179 countries to address environmental, social, development and economy issues.

LA21 emphasises the involvement of three parties, namely, local authorities, public and private sectors to work together to plan and manage their surroundings for sustainable development and a higher quality of life in the 21st century.

The programme was first introduced last year and efforts will continue with the assistance of residents' associations and volunteers as pioneers of the Champion Project.

It will attempt to bridge the digital divide in developing an intellectual community.

In a collaboration between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing, LA21 Kuala Lumpur was launched at Dataran Jelatek Gemilang, PPR Jelatek.

The programme is targeting over 420 students who will be sitting for the UPSR and SPM this year.

They will have the opportunity to use the ICT-based educational software called Skor A.

Kuala Lumpur City Council director general Datuk Saleh Yusup said LA21 KL has four themes -- Clean and Beautiful, Prosperous, and Safe City and e-City.

"They cover aspects of urban life that we want to realise for a world-class city."

He said the programme aims to teach Kuala Lumpur residents how to use information technology which is growing rapidly in the world today.

"The residents' association will sponsor 10 students who cannot afford to pay for the programme, while the others will only pay a minimum amount," he said.

To ensure commitment, parents of students who participate in this programme must pay a minimum of RM15 per month or RM180 a year. Normal charges for the programme is RM796.

This project will help to increase academic achievement through the use of the comprehensive software.

As many as 120 e-books will be allocated to six residents' associations, namely, PPR Sri Perak, Sri Johor 4A, Sri Penara, Desa Tun Razak, Youth Bandar Bukit Jalil and Kampung Malaysia Tambahan.

These e-books can be accessed on the Internet and Skor A software by the students.

Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing chief secretary Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said parents should be concerned about their children who are sitting for the UPSR and SPM examination, and encourage them to pass with flying colours.