The scheme, known as the Learning Support Programme (LSP) for English, emphasises pronunciation and recognition. Under it, pupils who had barely understood two-letter words later learnt how to read long passages and passed their exams.

Around 65 per cent of the 402 Primary 2 pupils in this pilot scheme eventually made the grade compared to only 40 per cent previously, the ministry said.

The new scheme has made such a difference that it has been rolled out in all primary schools.

Around 5,600 pupils who are less proficient in reading than their peers will come under this scheme. This comprises up to 14 per cent of each Primary 1 cohort.

While the old lessons were remedial and no different from the usual English classes, the new ones focus on skills, said Ms Thoo Mei Lan, a senior reading specialist at MOE.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Masagos Zulkifli gave reporters an update yesterday, saying that the ministry had looked into improving the LSP as its pass rate had been 'hovering at 40 per cent for a long time'.

Many pupils start Primary 1 not being able to read words like 'on' or 'is', said Ms Thoo.

Now, they are taught to recognise the letters of the alphabet and to decode and spell words. After going through the programme, they should be able to read even polysyllabic words such as 'sapphire', she added.

Pupils graduate from the programme when they catch up with their peers in reading and pass their English exams.

Greenridge Primary's learning support coordinator Mariah Rahmat said that the pupils who improved the most were those who attended school regularly and had parents who listened to them read. 'Most kids want to read, but they don't have an audience,' she said.

Housewife Vimala Devi, 33, gets daughter R. Harinesshwari, nine, to read to her every day.

Her daughter used to fail her English tests but is now passing them after going through the LSP, which was rolled out in her school in 2006.

'She's now more active in class and enjoys lessons more. Now I can ask her to read any story book and she can do it,' said Ms Devi, who has four children.

Early data has shown that a maths version of the programme, introduced last year, has also helped pupils improve, said the ministry.

hoaili@sph.com.sg