Kuala Lampur, Oct. 28 -- We dream of becoming a technologically advanced nation, attracting investments in artificial intelligence, producing world-class engineers and competing in the global digital economy. Yet an uncomfortable question remains: How can Malaysia become a scientific powerhouse when so many of our children struggle with basic mathematics and science? We cannot keep celebrating technological ambitions while ignoring what is happening inside our classrooms.

The latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 results should trouble us. Malaysia scored 397 in mathematics and 419 in science, both below the OECD averages. More disturbingly, only 35% of Malaysian students reached basic proficiency in mathemati...