After a week of regional discussions in Malacca on foundational learning, the momentum continued in Putrajaya, Malaysia with the Country-Level Strategic Workshop under SEA-PLM’s initiative 2: Evidence to policy linkages on 5 - 6 May. 

Following the successful implementation of 15th SEA-PLM Regional Steering Committee and the Foundational Learning Forum, the workshop contributes to Malaysia’s efforts to transform learning outcomes through data driven education reforms. During the workshop, the national teams and the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat engaged in in-depth discussions on the work plan to identify opportunities and areas for improvement in foundational learning in the country. These discussions followed the successful implementation of the 2024 main survey, with results set to be published towards the end of the year.

Her Excellency Ms. Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education Malaysia, joined the high-level dialogue on the first day of the meeting

The workshop opened with a high-level dialogue between the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat and her Excellency Ms. Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education Malaysia. The dialogue put a spotlight on Malaysia’s successful implementation of the SEA-PLM 2024 Main Survey.

With participation from key departments across the Ministry of Education, education officials, technical experts, and national partners, the workshop dived deeply into 2024 preliminary results, highlighted key trends, and planned collaborative actions. The workshop  discussed translating this compelling evidence into practical reforms that strengthen foundational skills in reading and mathematics for all students in Malaysia.

Mr Alejandro Ibanez, SEA-PLM Programme Manager , shared the preliminary regional results of SEA-PLM 2024

One of the main takeaways from the discussions was the country’s strong commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, acquires essential literacy and numeracy skills. This commitment was grounded in the SEA-PLM data, which not only highlighted gains but also exposed persistent challenges such as the enduring impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and widening equity gaps. These insights directly informed the development of a forward-looking national action plan aimed at addressing structural barriers in early grade learning and improving school conditions.

Participants from the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat 

Malaysia’s commitment to address foundational learning in the country is also reflected in its strategic use of SEA-PLM evidence to support ongoing national programs, such as the Reading Aid Programme, the basic literacy module, and Special Remedial Interventions. By anchoring these initiatives in robust, comparable data, the Ministry is well positioned to drive reforms that are not only responsive but also sustainable. 

Furthermore, the workshop also underscored the broader goals of SEA-PLM’s Initiative 2, enabling Southeast Asian countries to go beyond assessments and meaningfully link evidence to policy design and implementation. Looking ahead, the insights and plans developed during this workshop will contribute to the regional launch of the SEA-PLM 2024 report in November. This launch will not only present new evidence but also showcase how countries like Malaysia are responding, turning data into action and commitment into impactful outcomes. 

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The UK supports SEA-PLM through the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme, funded by UK International Development.