Last year I suggested that our government should look into the idea of giving iPad to every students in the country, see - http://brunei2035.blogspot.com/2011/09/ipad-for-all-brunei-students.html
Now it seems that the justification for such an idea is more relevant and pressing than ever before. Year after year, the issue of text books shortage is always the same. This year the vendors' tried to justified themselves for the shortages. But to me, what ever the excuses are, a failure is still a failure.
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2012/01/12/vendors-reasons-book-shortage
By giving an iPad to every students, the issue of non availability of text books can be easily overcome. Parents, students, teacher can always download the required materials. By having an e-text books, amendments can be easily incorporated., thus reducing unnecessary wastage as mentioned by the vendors. It also helps to reduce our students load and moreover give the students an awareness in conservation. Imagine all the trees that can be saved by adopting an e-text book.
In any case, if you think that an iPad seems to be excessive maybe we could buy from India a US$35 tablet computer.
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/212653-India-develops-35-dollar-tablet-computer-for-schools
With a total student population of 111,920 (BDKI 2011), total government spending on the Indian tablet shall comes to US$3,917,200 or B$4.5 million. Can the country afford it? YES!!!. Our country is not revenue constraint. We can create the required fund because Brunei is monetarily sovereign nation.
