Edusentro | KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – More than 13,000 primary school students in Johor and Selangor are reaping the rewards of a nationwide literacy initiative designed to reignite their love for reading and strengthen English skills, thanks to a partnership between Scholastic Asia and Yayasan Hasanah.
The Literacy Boost Program, launched in January under the Program Anak Kita education recovery effort, uses a mix of technology, tailored reading assessments, and engaging digital resources to help students regain confidence in English after years of pandemic disruptions.
At the heart of the program is the Literacy Pro platform, which measures reading ability using the internationally recognized Lexile framework, then recommends books that match each student’s level. This personalized approach allows both teachers and parents to better guide children toward reading materials that are both challenging and enjoyable—whether the child lives in a city center or a rural village.
Reading on Their Own Terms
One of the most striking outcomes? In just nine weeks, participating students—ranging from Primary 2 to Primary 6—read nearly 79 million words and completed 144,000 eBooks. Remarkably, 98% of the books were chosen by the students themselves, proving that when given the right tools, children will take ownership of their learning.
“Literacy shapes how children think, learn, and see the world,” said Duriya Aziz, President of Education (International) at Scholastic Inc. “We’ve seen firsthand that when students have resources suited to their needs, they become motivated, curious, and confident.”
A Whole-Nation Effort
For Yayasan Hasanah, this program complements Malaysia’s Kelas Pemulihan remedial efforts focused on Bahasa Malaysia, while providing much-needed English literacy support in a localized way.
“This is about giving every child the chance to dream bigger and learn with confidence,” said Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Trustee & Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah. “By delivering this through a digital platform, we’re not just catching up on lost learning—we’re building the foundations for a more inclusive, tech-enabled future.”
Teachers have been equally crucial to the program’s success. The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA) has provided training and professional development, ensuring educators can create vibrant, structured English-learning environments.
“MELTA’s involvement ensures we’re not just inspiring students, but also equipping teachers and parents with the skills to sustain this progress,” noted Dr. Sivabala Naidu, MELTA President.
Recognizing Effort and Achievement
To further encourage participation, Scholastic introduced the Reading Champ Award, celebrating schools, teachers, and students who demonstrate remarkable growth in reading throughout 2025.
As Malaysia continues its education recovery, the Literacy Boost Program stands as a strong example of how technology, strategic partnerships, and community support can combine to close learning gaps—and spark a lifelong love for reading.
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Sources:
- Scholastic Asia (Press Release, August 7, 2025)
- Yayasan Hasanah Official Website (www.yayasanhasanah.org)
