Editors' Note: When this article was posted in Reading Online in May 1997, readers were invited to comment on it through a bulletin board feature that was discontinued when the journal was redesigned in July 2000. Following are the comments posted to that bulletin board. Note that when the bulletin boards were migrated to new software, original posting dates were lost. Hence, posts dated July 7, 1999, were actually made in the months from May 1997 to June 1999.

Readers who would like the opportunity to comment on this or other articles in the journal are invited to contact the author directly (e-mail address is available on the opening page) or to post messages through ROL Communities.

Post 1

Author: deborah_lewis
Date: 07-07-1999 17:16

I found this article very interesting. It's surprising that there are such exciting things going on in Malaysia, yet we hear very little about it from the mainstream media. The strides this country is taking sounds like it's something we should be aware of. I think it's wonderful that they consider computer literacy to be considered along with the ability to read and write. While many people are able to get by in today's world without being computer literate, I doubt such people will be so lucky in ten years. If we want students to be computer literate, the logical first step is for teachers to be so as well. Schools are eager to furnish computers and buy software, but they tend to forget the integral part of the equation--the teachers. If they are uncomfortable with the technology, the technology won't be used to it's fullest potential. I'm very happy to see Malaysia is trying not to make the same mistake.

Post 2

Author: Corey_Massarelli7
Date: 07-07-1999 17:16

It's not often that we have a chance to learn about the developments in literacy from other pats of the world. Through reading this article I've become aware that there are exciting things happening every day all over the world. Wouldn't it be great if we could share all our great ideas and best practices? I was very impressed with the national goal of 100% literacy b 2020. Wow! I applaud the educational leaders of Malaysia for aiming for the top. It really shows the dedication that they have to their young people and the future of their country. I was also interested in the fact that most people are biliterate, and many triliterate. As speakers of English, we don't noramlly think about what it would be like to educate the masses when they speak many different languages with many dialects. It must be an enormous task to organize a united push towards 100% literacy. It seems to me that in order to help the people of Malaysia become literate there should be a common language in all subject areas. I was surprised that English was used only in science and technology. Seeing that English seems to be the dominant global language it would seem logical that the emphasis in schools would be English. In no way would I encourage the stopping of teaching the national language, but I feel that a true focus on one language would benefit their literacy rate greatly. I wish the people of Malaysia all the best in their endevours towards school reform and a 100% literacy rate. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of confrontation (as comes with any reform), but I look forward to reading about their success in thefuture.

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