KAJANG: A total of 122,000 Year One pupils nationwide have been identified as still lacking the basic 3M skills—reading, writing, and counting—in this academic session. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek attributed this issue to learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, and the needs of special-needs children.
“I believe this figure is dynamic. As these pupils gain these skills through interventions at both the state and federal levels, as well as through the Anak Kita programme, the number will improve,” she said during a press conference after launching the Tekad Reformasi Pendidikan Programme today.
The programme, a first-time collaboration between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Selangor state government, was attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. The Literacy and Numeracy Intervention Programme, which began in August, is aimed at helping students acquire the 3M skills.
The Tekad Reformasi Pendidikan Programme aims to strengthen education in Selangor by aligning with the MoE’s reform initiatives. It seeks to position Selangor as a leader in quality education through initiatives focused on human capital development and educational innovation.
In addition, Fadhlina stated that the ministry is working towards the goal of having one counseling teacher for every 250 primary and secondary school students. “We hope to achieve this target to enhance the educational ecosystem and provide effective psychosocial services to our children,” she added.
Addressing a bullying incident at a boarding school in Kuala Lumpur involving the child of a member of the band Spider, Fadhlina confirmed that strict action has been taken, and guidelines have been issued to address the issue. She stressed, “Bullying is unacceptable, regardless of whether the child involved is a celebrity’s or a minister’s. Ensuring a safe school environment is a priority, and any actions taken by the authorities, particularly the police, who are investigating the matter, will be handled appropriately.”
