A class of older Singaporeans attending Microsoft Powerpoint lessons. The IDA wants to increase IT training and spur PC ownership among those aged 50 and above. -- ST FILE PHOTO
STARTING today, Singaporeans aged 50 and above will be able to enjoy cheaper prices when buying a personal computer.
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has announced two new schemes to increase IT training and spur PC ownership among that segment of the population.
The first, called Silver Gen PC Specials, will offer desktops, notebooks and netbooks at discounted prices ranging from $489 to $2,499 from three appointed PC vendors: Addon Systems, iKnow and Pluto Technology.
The second, the Silver PC Incentive Programme, will give the first 8,000 eligible citizens who complete 30 hours of IT training a further $100 off.
These hours must be clocked at any of IDA's eight designated training centres and they include topics such as Basic Computer and Internet Usage, Blogging and Social Networking.
So for instance, the Viky II, a netbook from Pluto Technology that boasts an Atom N450 processor and a 25.7cm LED screen, typically costs $589. But with both schemes in play, an eligible individual will need to fork out only $389.
Mr Daven Chang, director of Pluto Technology, said: 'As a local computer manufacturer operating in Singapore for the past 31 years, this is our way of giving back to the community.'
According to statistics from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, economically active people aged 50 and above make up about 26.3 per cent of the resident population. That works out to about 958,000 of them.
According to the annual Infocomm Usage report for 2008 published by IDA, 11 per cent of those surveyed aged between 50 and 59 do not have access to computers. This figure jumps to 30 per cent of those aged 60 and above.
A Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) spokesman said the new schemes are timely. 'We always encounter elderly folk asking us where they can buy computers at cheaper rates, so this will definitely help them,' she said.
'In addition, many seniors we speak to do not want to touch their grandchildren's PC for fear of spoiling it, so this will be a welcome move for them.' Since November 2008, the CDAC has conducted IT-related courses for 1,600 seniors.
Retiree Mary Ang, 70, who is trying to start her own business, said: 'People like us rely on our children to provide allowances, but it would be good if I can get my own computer so I can start my online store selling my bead bags.'
Details of the schemes will be posted on IDA's website (www.ida.gov.sg).
