FINCO's Book Buddies Programme Boosts Pupils' Reading Enjoyment To 93.8 Pct

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- A nationwide book club initiative by the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO) has raised reading enjoyment among participating primary school pupils to 93.8 per cent, up from 68.7 per cent, while helping more children express their views and analyse stories with confidence.

In a statement today, FINCO said its Book Buddies pilot programme, run from July to October this year, also lifted the share of pupils confident in sharing their opinions about stories to 78.2 per cent from 45.6 per cent. A further 91.9 per cent expressed strong interest in reading more books and joining future discussions.

The organisation said the initiative was developed in response to findings from its Beyond Books: Reading Culture amongst Malaysian Students report, which found that nearly one in three students had fewer than 10 books at home, highlighting the need to strengthen reading habits beyond simply providing access to books.

“The report also found that structured time and encouragement from teachers and parents play almost as important a role as book availability in motivating students to read,” the statement read.

The statement added that the programme engaged more than 300 pupils aged 11 to 12 from government schools across 10 states, with 17 schools participating in a format that transformed reading from an individual activity into a shared learning experience.

FINCO chief executive officer Clare Walker said the initiative provided children with an environment to explore stories, ask questions and learn from one another.

“Reading opens the door to new ideas. Book Buddies helps children discover the joy of stories, giving them a safe, fun space to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn from one another,” she said.

According to the statement, under the pilot, pupils participated in two book club sessions, comprising teacher-led discussions at school using books and resources supplied by FINCO, followed by virtual discussions involving the participating schools.

It said each pupil received a storybook and a Book Buddies Reading Journal to record reflections before discussions, while teachers were provided with session plans and presentation materials to facilitate classroom activities.

The discussions encouraged pupils to interpret texts, analyse stories and consider different perspectives, skills that are important in developing critical thinking alongside reading proficiency.

According to the statement, FINCO’s initiative came amid concerns over reading proficiency among Malaysian students, with the organisation citing findings from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025.

The findings showed that only 44 per cent of 15-year-olds achieved at least Level two in reading, compared with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 69 per cent.

The statement also noted that only 0.1 per cent of Malaysian students achieved Level five or Level six, the higher proficiency levels associated with increasingly complex reading and critical-thinking skills.

FINCO chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim said providing educational opportunities for children was essential to the country’s future.

“FINCO believes that the strength of our nation’s future is inextricably linked to the educational opportunities we provide today. We are thankful to the financial industry in Malaysia for their continued support of initiatives such as this, which empower our youth with the foundational skills they need to thrive,” he said.

FINCO is a collaborative outreach initiative pioneered by financial institutions in Malaysia with guidance from Bank Negara Malaysia.

Since 2017, it has supported literacy and critical-reading skills in primary schools through initiatives including teacher training, Interactive Reading Corners and storytelling sessions under its FINCO Reads programme.

-- BERNAMA