Why Is My Child Struggling in School? Early Signs Malaysian Parents Should Not Ignore

Introduction: Why Early Recognition Matters

Every parent hopes to see their child do well in school — whether in the demanding workload of SJKC, the structured system of SMK, or the internationally aligned CIS curriculum. But sometimes, even with hard work, results just don’t improve. Homework takes too long, simple math becomes confusing, or reading feels like a daily struggle.

This is not a sign of laziness or low intelligence. Many children who face these challenges may be showing early signs of a Learning Difficulty (LD) such as dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. These conditions affect how a child processes information — not their capability.

Disclaimer: Not every child who struggles with reading or maths has a learning difficulty. These signs become meaningful only when they continue for a long time.

1. Early Indicators: What Parents Should Notice

Learning difficulties can look different in each child, but there are common signs. Early discovery is helpful because support works best when given early.

A. Signs in Primary School (Ages 5–9)

Reading & Phonics

• Slow to match letters with sounds
• Mixing up letters like b/d, p/q
• Very slow or inaccurate reading
• Struggles to understand what they read

Math & Numbers

• Difficulty remembering basic math facts
• Confusing +, –, ×, ÷
• Trouble understanding time or sequences

Writing & Motor Skills (Dysgraphia)

• Awkward pencil grip
• Hard-to-read handwriting
• Letters not sitting on the lines
• Difficulty copying from the board

These signs are more obvious in SJKC, where reading and writing expectations are high.

B. Signs in Upper Primary & Secondary (Ages 10–17)

Reading & Comprehension

• Cannot summarise what they read
• Gets lost in long passages
• Needs to reread many times

Math & Problem-Solving

• Difficulty applying formulas
• Struggles with word problems
• Forgetting steps during exams

Time & Organisation

• Cannot finish tests on time
• Always forgetting homework
• Trouble planning essays

Memory

• Studies hard but forgets during exams
• Trouble remembering sequences or instructions

2. What Parents Should Do Next

Step 1: Observe and Record

Write down what you see. Simple notes help teachers and specialists understand the issue.

Example:

• 5 Mar: Took long time to tell difference between ½ and ¼
• 8 Mar: Mixed up “weather” and “whether”

Step 2: Talk to the School

Speak to the class teacher, subject teacher, or Guru Bimbingan dan Kaunseling.

A helpful question to ask:
“Are these struggles normal for children of this age?”

Teachers often notice patterns parents don’t see, especially in SJKC and SMK classrooms.

Step 3: Support with Targeted Practice

Children with LDs do not improve simply by doing more homework. They need:

• Shorter, focused learning sessions
• Visual explanations
• Step-by-step guidance
• Repetition on specific weak areas

For Malaysian exam-based learning (BM, BI, Maths, Science, Chinese), targeted practice is key.

To avoid overwhelming your child, use materials that match school textbooks and exam formats.

Zekolah offers:

• Textbook-aligned exercises
• Past Year Papers
• Topic-by-topic practice sets

These resources help your child practise the right skills instead of everything at once.

Step 4: Support with Targeted Practice

If the signs continue persistently for more than 6 months, a professional screening is the next critical step for clarity. This process is key to obtaining the necessary certification for MOE support.

Where to Get Screening in Malaysia:

• Ministry of Health (MOH) Clinics/Government Hospitals

Referrals can be made to Paediatric or Psychiatry units for assessment. This is the pathway for obtaining official documentation required for the Kad OKU (Persons with Disabilities Card), which is essential for accessing MOE special education programmes.

• Private Specialists

Child Psychologists, Educational Therapists, Speech Therapists, or Occupational Therapists. They often provide quicker assessments, but ensure their report is comprehensive and recognized by the school.

Early and accurate diagnosis is the foundation for effective, long-term support.

Step 5: Understand MOE Support Options

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to providing pathways for students with Special Educational Needs (MBPK). Once a student is professionally diagnosed and registered (often via the Kad OKU), they may be eligible for:

• Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI): A programme where students are placed in special classes within a mainstream school but share facilities and join certain activities with regular students.

• Program Pendidikan Inklusif (PPI): The goal of Inclusive Education, where the student is placed in mainstream classes (full or partial inclusion) with support and Individualised Education Plan (IEP)accommodations.

• Remedial Programme: Historically focused on basic literacy and numeracy (3M) skills in primary schools for students who struggle but may not have a formal diagnosis.

Parents may refer to MOE’s official Special Education (Pendidikan Khas).

Classroom Accommodations: A key support under these programmes includes:

• Testing Accommodations: Such as extra time for examinations (essential for SPM/IGCSE candidates), use of a word processor, or a reader/scribe.

• Instructional Accommodations: Modified learning materials and differentiated teaching strategies.

Do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher, or the Guru Bimbingan dan Kaunseling (Counselling Teacher), specifically about the PPI or PPKI support available at your child’s SJKC or SMK.

Step 6. How Parents Can Support Emotionally

Children with learning difficulties often feel “not smart” — which is not true. They simply learn in a different way.

You can help by:

• Praising effort, not only results
• Avoiding comparisons with siblings or classmates
• Giving enough time to learn without pressure
• Celebrating small progress and small wins
• Reminding them that everyone learns differently

Your encouragement and patience play a major role in building their confidence.

Early Action Brings Hope

Recognising a learning difficulty is not a negative moment — it is an opportunity to understand your child more deeply. With calm support, the right strategies, and timely intervention, your child can grow, improve, and succeed in their own unique way.

When early intervention is combined with a strong home–school partnership and effective learning tools, children can build confidence and thrive academically — whether they are preparing for major assessments in their SJKC or SMK journey, the SPM, or international qualifications like the IGCSE.