Year One pupils' antics on the first day of school

The first day of the 2016 schooling session today in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor saw various antics of Year One pupils with some who were seen crying, sleepy and getting acquainted with new friends.

Government schools in the other states will reopen for the new term tomorrow.

The schooling session in the four states for this year is far better than last year which had to be postponed by one week due to severe flooding with some evacuation centres having been used as temporary schools.

However, the State Education Departments (JPN) and the District Education Departments (JPD), especially in flood-prone areas, had been instructed to make early preparations to face the possibility of floods to minimise damage and losses.

In KEDAH, the new school term saw the enrolment of 31,128 Year One pupils in 547 primary schools and 32,866 Form One students in 200 secondary schools in the state.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan, when visiting SK Laguna Merbok, Sungai Petani, advised schools to maintain good cooperation with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to ensure smooth running of the schooling session.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, this year's Year One enrollment has dropped from 20,643 pupils last year to 18,535 pupils this year who registered in 351 primary schools across Terengganu.

Terengganu State Education director Shafruddin Ali Hussin said following the drop in Year One pupil enrollment, only 713 classes were opened this year compared with 834 classes last year.

"This number will change, as the registration process is still on-going," he told Bernama today.

In JOHOR, a total of 56,585 started Year One in 597 primary schools state-wide.

Checks by Bernama at several schools around the city found the first day of the school term bringing mixed emotions for many students.

Some of them were seen to be in high spirits and excited while others were crying as they were still adjusting themselves to their new environment.

State Education, Information, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee Chairman Md Jais Sarday visited Sekolah Kebangsaan Nong Chik and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Princess Elizabeth in Johor Bahru.

In Muar, Deputy Education Minister II Senator Chong Sin Woon also visited students and teachers at SJK (C) Pu Nan and SMK Tun Dr Ismail in Bukit Bakri, Muar on the first day of the 2016 schooling session.

In KOTA BHARU, most students from remote settlements in Gua Musang were unable to start their schooling session today after road links to schools in the area has been cut off by thick mud caused by several days of rain.

Kelantan State Education director, Datuk Ab Aziz Abdullah said reports received by his department found that all students at SK Tohoi could not begin their schooling session.

"The Education Department has yet to determine the actual number of students and schools involved," he told Bernama when met at SK Kubang Kerian 3 here today.

He said the Kelantan Education Department would liaise with the Department of Orang Asli (JAKOA) to obtain detailed information on the matter.

Ab Aziz yesterday reportedly said a total of 27,544 Year One pupils in Kelantan would begin their schooling session today in 418 primary schools throughout the state.

He said some 114,010 secondary school students from Form one to Form Six would also begin their schooling session today at 592 schools in the state.

In the meantime, Ab Aziz also extended his gratitude to the Malaysian Armed Forces for conducting an operation codenamed 'Op Murni' that had transported 80 pupils and teachers of SK Pemberian and SK Laloh in Kuala Krai after the bridge that connects Kampung Pemberian and Kampung Manjor collapsed due to strong currents following the floods last week.