A Hong Kong company has formed a joint venture with the People's Education Press (PEP), the mainland's largest state-owned textbook publisher, to supply 'e-Textbooks' across the country.
The e-Textbook, developed by Culturecom, will be launched in primary and secondary schools from September, according to Chu Bong-foo, vice-chairman of the company.
Students will have the option of buying the hand-held e-Textbook machine for 860 yuan (HK$810) or purchasing traditional textbooks. Memory cards, costing 60 to 70 yuan each, can carry all the books used by a student during one term.
'Buying a PC costs more than US$1,000 (HK$7,780). Not many in China can afford that. But the e-Textbook is an IT appliance that is much more affordable,' said Mr Chu during the Chinese E-book and Related Technology Forum held in Xian last month. 'The e-Textbook serves as a little teacher for students. There are graphics for those who can't read. Even those who come from poor families can take the 'teacher' back home and learn the latest information.'
Gong Deshun, vice-governor of Shaanxi province, said the provincial government would fully support the launch of the e-Textbook. 'It gives students a good foundation in IT,' he said.
The first e-Textbook enables students to read text from its LCD screen. But the next generation will act as a personal digital assistant (PDA), with students able to input data and access the Internet. A speaker will aid language learning.