Putrajaya: Visual acuity problems remain a major concern among Year 1 pupils in Malaysia, particularly in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He highlighted that the number of Year 1 pupils experiencing vision problems increased from 215 in 2022 to 239 in 2023.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been actively monitoring students’ vision through screenings conducted by its School Health Team. The aim is to achieve a detection rate of over five per cent. However, the current rate stands at just 3.4 to 3.5 per cent. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the Ministry’s key performance indicator (KPI) is a five per cent detection threshold, as failure to diagnose vision issues can hinder students’ learning. He shared this during a press conference after officiating the Refractive Error Screening and Vision Correction Sponsorship Programme for Year 1 pupils from B40 and M40 households. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek was also present at the event.
Dr Dzulkefly noted that seating students with vision issues at the front of classrooms is only a temporary solution. He stressed the importance of early detection through refractive error screenings to prevent long-term academic disruptions and the need for thick corrective lenses. A pilot project to screen and provide free eyeglasses for B40 and M40 students began in August 2024. The year-long programme covers 16 primary schools in Putrajaya and is a collaboration between the MoH, the Ministry of Education (MOE), and Optimax Eye Specialist Centre Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced plans to expand the programme to other areas, including Nibong Tebal and Kuala Selangor, to improve students’ focus and reduce learning disparities. She stated that the programme goes beyond general eyeglass distribution, offering solutions to students’ vision issues and ensuring their full participation in education. Fadhlina also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the MOE and MoH to address malnutrition among students.
During the event, Fadhlina presented a mock cheque for Early Schooling Assistance (BAP), benefiting 39,000 students in Putrajaya with a total of RM5.896 million in funds.