These pupils were not able to recognise simple English words and were also unable to understand simple oral instructions in English, he added.

To address this problem, the Ministry of Education (MOE) identifies these pupils each January through the Learning Support Programme (LSP), a specialised early intervention scheme that aims to teach these children basic language and literacy skills, said Dr Ng in his written response to questions from Dr Ong Seh Hong, MP for Marine Parade GRC, in Parliament on Monday.

Implemented by Learning Support Coordinators (LSCs) who are qualified teachers specially trained by MOE for this programme, the LSP is implemented in all primary schools at Primary 1 and Primary 2 levels.

Dr Ng said about 45 per cent of children in the programme are able to pass their schools' English language examinations and read at a level that commensurate with their age by the end of Primary 1. Another 20 per cent are able to do by the end of Primary 2.

Although the reading gap had not been totally eliminated, the minister said that the remaining pupils made 'considerable improvements' in their reading skills. While the programme does not extend formally beyond Primary 2, students would continue to be supported through school-based supplementary and remedial lessons.

To address the causes of this lack of proficiency in English, Dr Ng said his ministry is 'working upstream' as data from MOE showed that children from lower income households who do not attend preschool are 'more likely to experience difficulties'.

As such, since 2006, MOE has focused its efforts and resources on helping children, especially those from lower-income families, to attend preschool, to help them 'level up opportunities early in life'. Dr Ng said that preliminary joint efforts by MOE, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and grassroots organisations are bearing results: the percentage of those entering Primary 1 without any preschool education was reduced from more than four per cent to about 2.5 per cent.

In addition, MOE also runs a scheme to help second year kindergarten students who have difficulties with English. Dubbed the FLAiR project (Focused Language Assistance in Reading), the programme helps children in speaking and reading English through through dedicated one-to-one or small group sessions, the minister said.

MOE will continue to look into ways to further improve the FLAiR project, said Dr Ng.