VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications plans to distribute around one million low-cost laptops for poor students from 2011-17.

According to a ministry report, poor students would be offered laptops which were fully equipped with software and other programmes at a favourable cost. They would also be given 3G-capacity USBs for internet access.

Funding for the programme would come from the Viet Nam Public Utility Telecommunication Service Fund, telecommunication enterprises, and support from organisations and individuals.

Speaking at a conference with the ministry yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said the low-cost laptops must meet students' demands for study and entertainment.

Nhan instructed the National Steering Committee to report on students' demands for laptops as well as their financial ability.

During the past five years, there have been several programmes to distribute low-cost laptops to the community, with the participation of enterprises such as FPT, Tran Anh, Vinh Trinh and Mai Hoang.

However, these programmes were reported to be ineffective due to various difficulties.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News