Urban-rural English literacy gap reduced, says Ministry

The gap of English literacy performance among pupils in rural and urban areas have been reduced over the years.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the government remains committed to reduce the gap and to improve English proficiency among pupils.

"English literacy performance among pupils in rural and urban areas currently stands at 83.3 and 89.9 percent, respectively," Sin Woon said in replying to a supplementary question from Budiman Mohd Zohdi (BN-Sungai Besar)

Budiman had wanted to know the English literacy performance in rural schools and measures taken by the government to reduce the gap in mastery of the language between pupils in urban and rural areas.

Chong also acknowledged that the lack of English teachers and their own performances are among reasons affecting the command of the language among pupils in rural areas.

"Therefore, the Education Ministry will continue training our current English teachers and ensure that number of teachers in the subject is adequate in every school, especially in rural areas," Chong said.