Mascot Welcome Brightens First Day Of School At SK Tan Sri Awang Had Salleh

BALIK PULAU, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The creativity and care shown by teachers at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tan Sri Awang Had Salleh here helped brighten the first day of the 2026 school session, as they donned mascot costumes to welcome students.

Students were greeted at the school entrance as early as 6.50 am by Tom and Jerry mascots portrayed by Islamic Education teacher Ustaz Muhammad Anis Ab Ghani and Malay Language teacher Muhammad Azhan Mohamad Shuhaimi.

Adding to the cheerful atmosphere, Year Three pupil Muhammad Haniff Fitri Muhammad Anis joined in by wearing a frog costume, helping to ease anxiety and create excitement, particularly among new students.

Headmistress Noor Hafiza Mohd Johari said the initiative was introduced to lift students’ spirits after the long school holidays and to help preschool and Year One pupils adjust to the school environment.

“This initiative has become a school tradition over the past two years to create a friendly and enjoyable learning atmosphere. Such celebrations can reduce students’ anxiety about coming to school, especially on the first day,” she said.

She added that students who arrived early were also given books and pencils as encouragement, and the initiative received positive feedback from parents who were delighted to see their children welcomed in such a festive manner.

Earlier, Penang Education Department director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad visited the school to observe the implementation of the First Day of School programme for the 2026 academic session, which began today for Group B schools.

Mohamad Dziauddin said a total of 237,473 primary and secondary school students, including 8,040 preschoolers, began the new school term today across five districts in the state.

He said 19,705 were Year One pupils, comprising 10,147 boys and 9,558 girls, noting that the number of Year One enrolments recorded a decrease of 492 compared with 20,197 last year.

-- BERNAMA