New School Session In 11 States Proceeds Smoothly

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Nearly five million students in 11 Group B states returned to school today for the new 2025/2026 academic year.

Yesterday, 632,268 students in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan (Group A) began the new school session.

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In PERAK, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said 329,344 students from 1,105 schools comprising 141, 436 secondary school students and 187, 908 primary school pupils began the new academic year.

He added that of the total number of students, 30 532 are Year One pupils, and 32 612 students are in Form One.

"A total of 18,173 preschool children in 573 preschools also began the school session today across the state," he told reporters during his visit to Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Tack in Kampung Simee this morning.

In JOHOR, State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin said that 585,220 students from 909 primary and 285 secondary schools started the new school session.

"A total of 49,315 teachers are involved for this session. The first day of school went smoothly, and surely the schools and parents have made the best preparations," he told reporters after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Kota Puteri 4 in Pasir Gudang.

In MELAKA, State Education Director Mahfudzah Mohamed Noor said that 154,485 students, including 87,266 pupils and 66,547 students from 318 schools, returned for the new academic year.

She said that of the total number of students, 13,922 are Year One pupils, and 14,021 are Form One students.

In SABAH, the Education Department deputy director-general for the school operations sector, Zainal Abas, noted that the 2025/2026 school session involves 526,370 students and 43,763 teachers in 1,298 schools.

"As in previous years, no lessons are conducted during the first week. This week is dedicated to orientation and adjustment, especially for new students.

"I see the students are very excited to start the school session, and I hope they will fully focus on the education provided," he spoke to reporters after observing the first day school operation at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Inanam, Kota Kinabalu.

PENANG saw 235,305 students return to 396 schools, including 20,192 Year One pupils and 16,814 Form One students.

According to State Education director Wan Sajiri Wan Hassan, there are 100,681 students in secondary schools, 126,608 pupils in primary schools, and 8,016 preschoolers across the state, with an average of 30 to 35 students per class.

"Not many schools in Penang operate the double session system. Some (double-session) schools… have reverted to a single session starting this year. So, there aren't many overcrowded schools, and we hope that school operations will not be affected by issues of student density," he told reporters at SMK Saujana Indah in Nibong Tebal.

Meanwhile, in SARAWAK, students in five schools could not start the academic year in their respective schools due to flooding and damaged school facilities.

State Education director Omar Mahli said the affected schools must carry out home learning activities for the students.

He said SK Kg Klid/Plajau and SK St Luke Ng Baoh in Dalat, as well as SK Kuala Kenyana in Mukah, are still affected by floods, whereas SK Kuala Muput in Sebauh and SK Ulu Kabo in Saratok experienced damaged facilities caused by the disaster.

"If the floodwaters recede with no stagnant water, a gotong-royong will be carried out to clean the schools… we have also identified the damages and provided allocations to the affected schools to make purchases, prioritising items such as chairs and tables.

"These five schools have a small number of students, less than 100 students... we hope that after a week of cleaning…they can resume normal schooling the following week," he added.

Overall, 430,796 students, comprising 240,498 primary school pupils and 190,298 secondary school students in the state, returned to school today.

NEGERI SEMBILAN Education director Khalidah Omar stated that 45,116 students comprising 7,582 preschoolers, 19,563 Year One pupils in mainstream schools, 279 Year One pupils in the Special Integration Education Programme (PPKI), 17,352 Form One students in mainstream schools, and 340 secondary PPKI students started the new academic year.

Meanwhile, according to PAHANG Education deputy director for the learning sector Ahmad Zamri Md Isa,  244,799 pupils and students returned to school for the 2025/2026 session, including 24,740 Year One pupils, 21,500 Form One students, and 4,000 preschoolers across the state.

PERLIS Education director Rose Aza Che Ariffin noted that 19,962 students and 26,982 pupils in the state began the school session today at 30 secondary schools and 74 primary schools, respectively.

"The first week of the school session from Feb 17 to 21 will be filled with various activities to encourage students to come to school. It is planned to create a cheerful, safe, and informative atmosphere. It also aims to foster unity among students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds," he added.

-- BERNAMA