Leading global children’s publishing, education, and media company Scholastic Asia, in partnership with Yayasan Hasanah, is driving measurable impact in schools across Johor and Selangor through the Literacy Boost Program. The initiative aims to strengthen English proficiency and rebuild reading confidence among primary school students.
Under the Program Anak Kita, the Literacy Boost supports Malaysia’s education recovery by helping students improve their English through reading assessments that are benchmarked to global standards and adapted for the Malaysian context. Using Lexile measures, parents and teachers can better understand each child’s reading level and match them with the right books, making reading more effective and enjoyable no matter their background or location.
“Literacy is one of the most important skills a child can have. It shapes how they learn, how they think, and how they see the world. Through this program, we want to support Malaysian students feel more comfortable using English, especially after all the disruptions over the past few years,” said Duriya Aziz, President, Education (International) of Scholastic Inc. “The early results are encouraging. When students have the right tools, they’re motivated and eager to learn. We will continue working closely with our partners to make sure more children get access to quality reading resources and the opportunity to succeed.”
Since launching in January 2025, the program has steadily gained momentum across schools in Johor and Selangor. In just nine weeks, over 13,000 students from Primary 2 to 6 across 427 schools have read nearly 79 million words and completed more than 144,000 eBooks. Impressively, 98% of these eBooks were selected by the students themselves, which shows their growing curiosity and motivation to learn independently.
Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Trustee & Managing Director, Yayasan Hasanah, added: “We’re thrilled to partner with Scholastic under Program Anak Kita to support early literacy among Malaysian children. While Bahasa Malaysia remains the core focus of the national recovery effort through the Kelas Pemulihan remedial programme, this English literacy initiative offers a localised and meaningful layer of support, aligned with the needs of participating schools. Delivered through a digital app, it also expands access to quality learning resources and supports the shift toward more inclusive, tech-enabled education. The strength of Program Anak Kita lies in its whole-of-nation spirit – bringing together diverse partners with different strengths, skill sets, and reach. Together, we’re helping ensure every child has the literacy tools to dream bigger, learn with confidence, and reach their full potential.”
Beyond students, teachers and parents play a central role in the program’s success. The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA) has been instrumental in delivering teacher training, classroom support, and professional development to help both parties create engaging and structured English learning environments.
Dr Sivabala Naidu, President of MELTA, shared: “We have seen how Literacy Boost helps students reconnect with English in a way that feels relevant and enjoyable. But real change doesn’t happen in the classroom alone. It takes teachers who are equipped with the right tools, and parents who are actively involved in supporting their child’s learning.”
To celebrate the ongoing commitment, Scholastic has introduced the Reading Champ Award to recognize schools, teachers, and students who make real progress throughout the program. Running until the end of 2025, the award shines a light on all the hard work and dedication helping students grow their love for reading.
