Shah alam: More than 800,000 schoolchildren across the nation have commenced the 2026 school year, with new enrollments in both Year One and Form One. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that over 400,000 pupils have been enrolled in Year One, while a similar number have registered for Form One.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina shared these figures during a press conference held on the first day of the 2026 academic calendar at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Ladang Regent Elmina. The event was also attended by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Selangor State Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San, and Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Exco Mohd Najwan Halimi.

Fadhlina visited the new primary school to observe the first day of classes, noting that 266 pupils have enrolled so far, with expectations for the number to rise to 300 by the end of the month. A Bernama check at the school found many parents accompanying their children early in the morning, eager to support their transition into the new school year.

Parents expressed their children's enthusiasm for returning to school. Accountant Shirley Chei, 37, mentioned her seven-year-old son's excitement in preparing his school items the day before. Similarly, trader Hafiza Mohd Nor, 38, shared that her daughter, seven-year-old Nur Hanan Qisha Mohd Iskandar, went to bed early due to her eagerness and was pleased to have made new friends during orientation week.