KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry does not just prioritise the readiness aspects of the armed forces, but also the welfare of its members in terms of education.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was reflected in the Education Excellence Award recognising outstanding performance of students in the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
He said the programme saw 295 recipients who excelled in their SPM examinations across the country, an increase from last year's 275 recipients as an impact from the various education programmes conducted by Yayasan LTAT.
"This year, we've also made some changes. Previously, it was limited to students within certain guidelines, but now, regardless of rank, any student who excels will receive RM100 for each A grade they achieve.
"Thus, those who earn 10 As will receive RM1,000, and those with five As will receive RM500," he said.
Khaled added that the ministry was implementing various initiatives to support the education of children under the ministry and the armed forces personnel in appreciation of their contributions to the nation's security and sovereignty.
"Among these is the provision of free online tuition for SPM candidates who are children of armed forces personnel, conducted in collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
"I am also working towards providing all SPM candidates from armed forces families with a free Chromebook unit. We have already supplied a portion of candidates with Chromebooks this year, and the remainder will be distributed soon," he said.
Khaled said this was to ensure the smooth running of the free tuition programme and online learning using Chromebooks, which the ministry had collaborated with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Communications Ministry.
"We aim to provide comprehensive Wi-Fi and internet services at military camps. We are working to replace all lines at camps nationwide with optical fibre to improve Internet quality.
"Furthermore, starting next year, we will launch the 'Pakej Perajurit Broadband,' offering Internet service at RM49, significantly lower than the market price of over RM80."
Yayasan LTAT chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Nizar Sudin said among the 295 recipients, three students obtained 11 As, 13 achieved 10 As, 37 received 9 As, 50 earned 8 As, 49 attained 7 As, 60 got 6 As, and 83 students received 5 As in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia results.
In attendance at the programme were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain, Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Tan Sri Mohd Ashgar Khan Goriman Khan, Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) chairman Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin and LTAT chief executive officer Mohammad Ashraf Md Radzi.