BacaBaca boosts literacy

A group of 100 pupils from Selangor marked their literacy progress at Projek BacaBaca’s annual celebration on April 18, held at Taylor’s University Subang Jaya campus. The event, attended by Education deputy director general Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad, featured a reading showcase and awards for students from five schools: SK Bandar Sunway, SJK (T) Batu Ampat, SJK (T) Effingham, SJK (T) Ladang Sungai Choh, and SJK (T) Vivekananda. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative—part of Taylor’s University’s Education for All Impact Lab—has helped over 700 children, achieving a 100% literacy improvement across 20 schools, including urban low-income, rural, Orang Asli, and chronically ill student communities. Projek BacaBaca targets children aged 6–9, strengthening their English and Bahasa Malaysia skills through research-backed methods. Its extension, Projek BacaBaca+, supports 11–12-year-olds from Chinese and Tamil schools to reach mastery levels (TP4–TP6) in Bahasa Malaysia, easing their transition to secondary education. The program operates via face-to-face group sessions, combining academic support with confidence-building and independent learning habits. Taylor’s University project leader Hema Letchamanan highlighted the initiative’s growth, driven by over 500 volunteers since 2021. She emphasized its shared purpose: ensuring every child, regardless of background, can read at grade level. ‘When a child learns to read with confidence, it opens doors to endless possibilities,’ she stated, noting the broader impact on discipline, self-belief, and lifelong learning. The initiative’s success extends beyond test scores, fostering curiosity and a love for learning. Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad’s presence underscored official support for the program, which continues to expand its reach across diverse Malaysian communities. With five years of progress, Projek BacaBaca remains committed to deepening its impact through community collaboration and volunteer engagement.