ONCE teased for her poor reading skills, 12-year-old Sophia Irine Bong Yong Hui can now hold her head high after overcoming her problem through a project started by a local university.
The Year Six pupil of SK Bandar Sunway said her transformation began when she joined Projek BacaBaca under Taylor’s University’s Education for All Impact Lab while in Year Five.
“I used to struggle to read and understand words, and my friends would make fun of me.
“But the sessions with volunteers or coach readers in small groups helped me focus better and gradually built up my confidence,” she said when met at the “Projek BacaBaca: Celebrating the Transformative Reading Journeys of 100 Children” event in Subang Jaya.
Sophia was among 100 students from Projek BacaBaca 2025 honoured at the event involving SK Bandar Sunway, SJKT Ladang Effingham, SJK (T) Vivekananda, SJK (T) Ladang Sungai Choh and SJK (T) Ladang Batu Ampat.
Another participant, Kesavan Sai, 12, is proud he can communicate in Bahasa Malaysia more confidently now.
The SJK (T) Ladang Effingham pupil previously spoke only Tamil and admitted feeling embarrassed with his peers.
“I couldn’t read before. Now I feel happy because I can read and talk to others.
“When people ask me questions, I can answer in Malay,” said Kesavan, who dreams of becoming a firefighter when he grows up.
Projek BacaBaca head Hema Letchamanan said the initiative, which was launched in 2021, had benefitted more than 700 students recording a 100% improvement in literacy rates across more than 20 schools in low-income urban areas and among rural and Orang Asli populations.
Hema, who is Taylor’s University senior lecturer, said one of the key challenges in the education system was the lack of individual attention due to large classes and varying student proficiency levels.
“The initiative aims to ensure every child can read at an age-appropriate level, preventing learning gaps that may persist into secondary school.”
She said weekly guidance by more than 500 volunteers over the past five years had boosted the pupils’ confidence, especially those who were initially passive.
Hema called for the programme to be expanded nationwide.
Meanwhile, Education Ministry (policy and curriculum sector) deputy director-general Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad said the initiative addressed the critical issueof pupils not reading at expectedage-appropriate levels.
“This is not an issue of access, but one of learning deprivation.
“Projek BacaBaca offers targeted and structured support to children who need more time and attention to develop these essential skills.”
She said the ministry welcomed such initiatives which aimed at ensuring every child has a strong foundation in reading – a key step towards lifelong learning.
“Since its implementation, Projek BacaBaca has delivered 100% improvement in literacy rates,” said Rusmini told Bernama.
“In rural communities, Orang Asli populations and children facing health challenges have benefitted from this programme.
“Beyond improved reading skills, students have gained greater confidence and developed a stronger interest in learning.
“Reading is a powerful key that will open doors to a brighter future.”
