Malaysian primary school students have secured the top position in reading literacy within the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2024. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), 21% of Malaysian pupils reached the highest achievement band, significantly surpassing the regional average of 5%.
The latest data reveals that Malaysian students earned an average score of 480.1, placing them 29.2 points ahead of the combined average of other participating nations. The SEA-PLM 2024 assessment included students from:
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- The Philippines
- Vietnam
The MOE highlighted that these results demonstrate robust critical thinking skills. Students showed a high proficiency in developing content, grasping complex contexts, and articulating ideas clearly through written expression. However, the ministry noted that challenges persist, particularly regarding achievement gaps tied to socioeconomic status, gender, and the disparity between languages spoken at home versus those used in the classroom.
Scope of the Assessment
The SEA-PLM 2024 evaluated Year Five students across four core domains:
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Writing
- Global Citizenship
In Malaysia, the study involved a diverse sample of 4,379 pupils from 158 primary schools. This included national schools, Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, Orang Asli schools, government-aided religious schools, and private institutions. While the reading and mathematics results were initially disclosed last December, the comprehensive findings further solidify Malaysia’s standing in regional education.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek took to social media to celebrate the milestone, attributing the success to the coordinated efforts of school administrators, educators, and parents.
“This achievement will undoubtedly serve as motivation for us to continue improving the quality of the nation’s education system,” she stated in a Facebook post.
The ministry plans to use these insights to refine teaching strategies and bridge existing performance gaps to ensure more equitable educational outcomes across the country.
