IPOH: The number of Year One pupils for the new schooling session has increased slightly by about 3%.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said a total of 461,198 new Year One pupils have registered for the 2025/26 session, compared to 447,082 pupils last year.
“As for preschoolers, there are 205,051 children this year.
“There are also 17,547 students in transitional classes and 460,494 new Form One students,” he said at a press conference after welcoming new pupils to school at SJKC Chung Tack here yesterday.
“In total, there are 5.14 million children in all schools,” he added.
Children in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan returned to school on Sunday for the new academic year, while the remaining states began yesterday.
In Perak alone, Wong said there are 347,517 children in 1,105 schools.
These, he said, included 30,532 new Year One pupils, 18,173 in preschools and 32,612 new Form One students.
Wong also said 17 new schools will begin operations this year.
“Two of them, SK Taman Pelangi Semenyih and SK Denai Alam in Selangor, are already operating,” he said.
“SJKC Poi Min in Puchong will also operate once the relocation process is done.”
When asked on steps to address the issue of hot weather affecting students, Wong said all relevant parties will adhere to guidelines to ensure the necessary steps would be taken.
“Just like previous years, we will take safety steps to ensure the comfort of children.
“We will remind all school management and administration to follow the guidelines during hot weather,” he said.
“The ministry, state education departments and schools will also keep themselves updated with the latest weather news from the Meteorological Department.
“Parents and schools are encouraged to ensure that the children have sufficient drinking water,” he added.
