Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek today announced the extension of the 1Malaysia Netbook programme to teachers nationwide in appreciation of their services.

He posted on Facebook that the matter had been decided at the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"Happy Teachers Day. This is our Teachers Day gift to all teachers nationwide. Teachers are the pillars of the nation's progress. The initial phase would involve about 400,000 teachers," he said.

The 1Malaysia Netbook programme, aimed at enhancing the IT knowledge of rural communities, was introduced in 2010.

So far more than 1.7 million school and university students from under privileged families have benefited from it.