Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture has launched School Digitalization program, especially in the frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions.

The program was launched by Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province on Wednesday, according to the ministry’s website.

The launching was marked by handing over some information and communication technology (ICT) facilities to school management and tablet computers to students.

"School Digitalization is a new breakthrough in the world of education by utilizing the development of information technology in various aspects of teaching," the minister said.

The advantage of this system, according to him is facilitating the teaching and learning process as students could access all teaching materials or exam materials in one network.

"The ICT learning facilities which provided by the ministry are PCs, laptops, LCDs, routers, and external hard disks," Minister Muhadjir noted

He explained that the learning facilities were provided to 38 schools in Natuna Regency, consisting of 25 elementary schools, nine junior high schools, three high schools, and one vocational school.

"This ICT learning facility is aimed at making the School Digitalization program easier for schools to implement," the minister added.

Meanwhile, the tablet computers were given to 1,142 students, consisting of 508 elementary students, 303 junior high students, 228 high school students, and 103 vocational students.

The tablet computer has been installed with some learning applications that provide eight main features, namely, learning resources, electronic school books, question banks, virtual laboratories, cultural maps, spacecraft facility, sustainable professional development, and virtual classes.

School Digitalization is the application of new learning methods to face the industrial revolution 4.0.

The characteristics of the method are student centered, multimedia, collaborative work, information exchange, as well as critical thinking and informed decision making.

The total budget for the purchase of ICT learning facilities and tablet computers is Rp3,176,000,000 (US$1 = Rp 14,072.30).

Reporting by Indonesia Window