The Literacy Scene in MalaysiaAmbigapathy Pandian, Chairperson, English Studies Program School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia. AbstractMalaysia obtained her independence from British rule in 1957 and this year, she would be celebrating the 40th year of independence. During the post-colonial period, Malaysia has recorded remarkable progress in both social and economic activities. One key interest in the national development activities is concerned with literacy. The literacy rate was 50 per cent in the year 1957 and this has risen to more than 80 per cent in the year 1996. Males outnumber females but this margin is expected to grow smaller in the next few years. Over the past four decades, massive efforts have been made to reduce illiteracy in Malaysia. The year 2000 has been set as Malaysia's target year to ensure that the whole population is literate. Malaysia envisions to be a developed nation by the year 2020. Literacy is a fundamental tool that will enable the nation to attain knowledge and wealth in the years ahead. Today, Malaysia is undergoing rapid social, economic and technological transformation. The country aims to be one that is not only a consumer of technology but also a contributor to the scientific and technological civilization of the future. This is a radical step in literacy efforts in Malaysia. Thus a major challenge facing Malaysia today is not only creating a reading society, but a multi-literate society that is progressive. Accordingly, this paper would discuss recent studies conducted by the author (1993-1997) to investigate literacy behavior and practices among school children, university students and adults. In addition, the demands and challenges surrounding literacy and the literacy agenda for the 21st century would be highlighted. |
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