Over 120,000 Standard 1 Kids Are Still Behind In Basic Skills, Intervention Needed
There are over 120,000 Standard 1 students who are still behind in reading, writing and math.
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The foundational skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, commonly known as the 3Ms, are essential for every student.
Failure to master these skills can lead to academic setbacks, increased dropout rates, and a decline in self-confidence.
These skills also serve as a crucial stepping stone for students as they progress to higher levels of education.
There are over 120,000 Standard 1 students who are still behind in these skills.
To address this, the Ministry of Education announced on 9 September that 122,062 Standard One students for the 2024/2025 academic session will participate in an Intervention Program aimed at enhancing literacy and numeracy skills.
This program, which started last month, targets students who are struggling with the 3Ms.
According to the Director General of Education, Azman Adnan, these students represent 27.2% of the 448,113 Standard One students nationwide.
Breakdown of Students Needing Support
Azman revealed that 62,928 students have yet to master both literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy (counting).
Additionally, 45,465 students are struggling with literacy alone, while 13,669 have difficulties with numeracy.
These students were identified through a screening test conducted in July before being enrolled in the Intervention Program.
“Students will be grouped based on their level of mastery in literacy and numeracy and provided with tailored reading kits or modules by teachers,” Azman said, as reported by Utusan Malaysia.
Three-Month Evaluation Period for Students
Each student will have three months to focus exclusively on developing their reading, writing, and calculation skills before being reassessed.
Those who achieve the required proficiency will be integrated into mainstream classes.
However, students who do not meet the minimum mastery level will continue in the intervention program until they improve.
Focused Curriculum and Additional Initiatives
During the intervention period, students will solely concentrate on mastering the 3Ms.
This program is one of four key initiatives under the broader Curriculum Intervention Program, which also includes:
- Realigning the Primary School Standard Curriculum
- A parent-friendly reporting system for Classroom-Based Assessments (PBD)
- Specialized training for teachers
Advancement Despite Challenges
Azman clarified that students in the intervention program will still advance to Standard Two even if they have not fully mastered the 3Ms by the end of the 2024/2025 academic calendar.
“Students in the intervention group will move to Standard Two, but they will continue to receive additional support to strengthen their abilities,” he explained.
He also added that there is no policy currently which stops the students from advancing to the next academic year.
A Collaborative Effort for Success
The Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring that this intervention has a positive impact on student outcomes and overall education quality.
Azman emphasized the importance of community involvement, including support from parents and other stakeholders, to ensure the success of this initiative.
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