Azman said 27.5% of the 448,113 Year 1 children are enrolled in a three-month intervention programme that started last month.

The pupils are categorised into three groups –  62,928 have not yet mastered both reading and arithmetic, 45,465 are struggling with reading, and 13,669 have difficulties with arithmetic.

“The number of pupils requiring intervention in a class depends on the capacity of the school management and teaching staff,” he told a press conference today.

“A smaller group of students will make it easier for students to receive guidance and help increase their competency levels.”

Azman also said the pupils were assessed through classroom-based assessments over three months, starting from the schooling session in March. A public screening was conducted in July.

“After the three months, those who have achieved proficiency in reading and arithmetic will return to their regular classes, while those who have not yet reached the minimum proficiency level will continue to receive intervention until they pass the minimum level,” he said.

On March 18, education minister Fadhlina Sidek announced the introduction of the Literacy and Numeracy Intervention Programme for Year One pupils to address the low levels of 3R skills (also referred to as 3M skills) mastery among students and reorganise the curriculum for science, mathematics, Malay and English.

The intervention programme task force is headed by the education deputy director-general (policy and curriculum sector) and also involves the National Education Advisory Council.