The performance of boys in literacy has become an issue of increasing concern around the globe. This paper discusses the results of a study that sought to determine the literacy performance of Malaysian primary schoolers. Using one of the states in the country as a case study, data on approximately 85 000 students from grades 1, 2, and 3 were obtained. Teachers' views were also sought through focus group interviews and journal entries. The results show that although there is an overall

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... nt in literacy performance in the national language among the students as they go into Grades 2 and 3, girls are found to outperform boys in every screening for all grade levels