The move to widen the use of computers as a teaching tool is expected to experience serious setbacks in Sabah and Sarawak. Without electricity supply, schools will not be able to adopt new learning techniques promoted under the new education policy.

Responding to a question by Jimmy Donald (BN-Sri Aman) at the Dewan Rakyat today, Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Mahadzir Mohd Khir said 463 schools in Sarawak and 393 in Sabah would be affected.

Under the policy, computer hardware and software would play a bigger role in learning activities and as teaching aids. Where schools cannot tap into the new methods, students are likely to be left behind.

Mahadzir, however, said the government was aware of the problems in Sabah and Sarawak and was trying its best to find solutions.