Over 800,000 Students Begin 2026 School Session Nationwide
SHAH ALAM: More than 800,000 pupils and students nationwide began the new 2026 academic year today, marking the entry of fresh cohorts into Year One and Form One across Malaysia.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said this year’s intake comprises over 400,000 pupils registered for Year One and approximately another 400,000 students for Form One.
“For Year One, we have more than 400,000 pupils, while Form One records around 400,000 students. These are the young learners we welcome this year as they begin their journey in primary and secondary school,” she said.
Fadhlina was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with the first day of the 2026 academic calendar at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Ladang Regent Elmina here today.
Also present were Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San, and Selangor State Executive Councillor for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
Earlier, Fadhlina visited SJKC Ladang Regent Elmina to observe the school’s operations and preparations for the new session. She said the school registered 266 pupils this year, with numbers expected to increase to about 300 by the end of the month.
A Bernama survey found Year One pupils visibly excited to begin the new school term, with many parents arriving early to send their children.
For accountant Shirley Chei, 37, today marks her first experience sending her son, Yeoh Zhen Yu, 7, to school.
“He was thrilled preparing his school items since last night and couldn’t wait to go to school after the long holidays,” she told Bernama.
Another parent, Hafiza Mohd Nor, 38, said her daughter went to bed early due to her excitement for the new school year.
“She slept early last night and was the most eager to leave for school this morning,” Hafiza said.
Her daughter, Nur Hanan Qisha Mohd Iskandar, 7, shared her enthusiasm, saying she felt happy after completing orientation week and meeting new classmates.