LUBOK ANTU, Sarawak, Nov 20 (Sin Chew Daily) — A teacher is taking 22 primary and secondary school students to search for WiFi signals in order to conduct virtual classes.

A group of students living in the longhouse at Rh Andah ak Lembang, Nanga Sumpa in Lubok Antu, Sarawak, were helpless when they learned about the education ministry's decision to close schools nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their house is about five hours' drive and two hours of boat ride from Kuching. Internet facility in the area is grossly inadequate, making online learning a luxury to them.

Cikgu Sambau, the teacher from the longhouse, could not accept the fact that the students' studies had to be affected by school closures.

He took all the students with him to search for WiFi signals by walking more than two hours.

Sambau told Sin Chew Daily he was teaching at Lubok Antu Secondary School.

Since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), Sambau noticed that students living in the longhouse were lagging far behind in their studies compared to students in urban areas, as there was no internet facility in the longhouse.

"Some of the students are living in the hostel at the state sport school – Tabuan Jaya Secondary School. They are told to return home due to the pandemic," he said.

To travel to Lubok Antu town, they have to take a two-hour boat ride which costs RM150 for fuel, then lease a car to Lubok Antu. The 30-minute car ride will cost another RM30.

Hence, Sambau, his wife and brother contacted the parents to trace for WiFi signals in the vicinity. The students would then be able to check messages on WhatsApp and Telegram for their homework.

After spending some time climbing the hill and crossing the river, they found WiFi signals on a hill some two and a half hours from the longhouse.

"In fact, the location is quite far, as one has to walk about 45 minutes to cross the forest and a small river followed by another one hour and 45 minutes to climb the slope before reaching the area with WiFi signals," he explained.

Armed with a parang and a stick, Sambau took 14 primary school pupils and eight secondary school students in search of WiFi signals.

The parents also leave their chores aside to accompany the children and prepare food and drinks for all.