Steps being taken to improve student achievements, says Deputy Education Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Immediate steps are being taken to improve the quality of Malaysian students achievements at global evaluations, says Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

This comes as Malaysia recorded a drastic decline in its Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) standing in 2022.

Wong said the ministry also identified various aspects that needed improvement.

This includes reviewing and evaluating content in the national curriculum with a greater focus on the need for in-depth content to ensure active learning.

“The use of digital devices is also encouraged, alongside prioritising aid for students with a low socioeconomic standing and reviewing the distribution of resources optimally for teachers, devices, and more,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 6).

Wong added that there was also a need for the ministry to improve students' confidence in self-directed learning and improve the ability for teachers to play the role of counsellor, and educators as they havr a big influence on the wellness of students.

“We are committed to carrying out programmes and initiatives to improve the quality of our students' achievements in coming evaluations,” he said.

Wong was responding to a question by Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) who asked about the ministry’s steps forward following Malaysia’s decline in the PISA standings in 2022.

Wong added that the country’s standings however showed an increase since it first joined Pisa in 2009.

It however fell drastically in 2022.

Of the eight Southeast Asian countries that took part in Pisa 2022, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei overcame Malaysia in the three literacy domains.

Malaysia however was above Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia in the evaluated literacy domains.

Separately, Wong said there was only a 47.13% take up rate for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects nationwide.

It has a target of 60%.

“A special task force for STEM development has also been formed by the ministry,” he said.