The population of Malaysia has a satisfactory rate of
literacy and this is mostly because of the national policies implemented since
1961. A variety of programs, established to assist adult learners to attain the
necessary skills, have enabled many to become productive citizens of a growing
economy.
Literacy is one of the most important indicators of a
country’s human capital development. Functional illiteracy does not allow for
people to be employed and nor can they attain their desired quality of life.
For Example: There is a study by National Focus on Literacy, that 22% of the adult U.K population is functionally illiterate Costing the
U.K £81billion annually Highest cost of any European Nation.
However, functional illiteracy, when the reading and
writing skills are inadequate for employment, still prevents many people in
Malaysia from getting employment opportunities or education at a higher level.
The national education system’s main goal is to
provide literacy proficiency.
Unfortunately, there are still higher levels than desired of students
who do not master the required reading, writing and arithmetic skills by the
end of primary school. The drop out levels from both primary and secondary
school levels are still at a higher level than desired.
Critical and creative thinking can be taught, but is
often hampered by background, family situations, culture, environment and
socio-economic factors. Education policies in Malaysia still need to address
the fact that teachers need special training where they will be able to teach
students the learning process of understanding or as it was put in one study, “to
learn to learn”.
Students need to be given strong skills in
comprehension, intensive writing, collaborative learning and self sufficiency
in learning which builds a positive culture in students.
Encouraging young people to want more than just
functional literacy and to move into the realm of critical literacy should be
the top priority of the education system.
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