SMK Suria Jaya in Johor is set to begin operations on September 7, 2026, after receiving its Certificate of Partial Occupation (CPO) on June 23, 2026, the Education Ministry announced [1]. The school, which was left incomplete since 2008, resumed construction in 2023 following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic [2]. It will initially welcome about 200 Form One and Two students and is expected to reach full capacity with 1,200 students by January 2027, staffed by 180 teachers and administrative personnel [2].
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek expressed gratitude to project teams and said, "God willing, the school will begin operations in September 2026. This reflects the MOE’s strong commitment to ensuring that our children continue to learn in a conducive environment and that our teachers are able to serve with a deep sense of dedication to education" [1]. She also remarked, "Finally! Under the Madani Government, it has been completed" [1].
The new school will serve students from Parit Yaani, Sri Medan, and Yong Peng, helping to reduce travel time and ease overcrowding in other nearby schools [2]. The Ministry also handed over a Letter of Acceptance for reconstructing the dilapidated canteen at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Nawi in Muar, with completion expected by mid-2027 [1].
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has appointed 3,150 teachers on a Contract of Service basis to meet urgent staffing needs for the 2027 Year One intake, which will include two cohorts: 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds [3, 4]. Current registrations total 478,419 pupils — 73,386 aged 6 and 405,033 aged 7 — a 12.07% increase compared to 2026, which had only a 7-year-old cohort [3, 4].
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said, "The special recruitment exercise does not replace the existing professional teaching career pathway, which remains the main route for teacher planning in the ministry. The ministry is working to ensure that reserve candidates are offered appointments as soon as possible" [3]. He added the ministry is building 2,596 new classrooms across 838 schools using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) modular method, expected to finish within 2026 [3, 4].
Currently, 4,417 reserve teacher candidates remain, with 857 appointed, 20 in the placement process, and 2,633 to be offered appointments soon [3].
Other infrastructure progress in Johor includes the December 2025 opening of the 7.2 km Jalan Tan Sri Mohamad road linking Peserai and Parit Jalil [2]. Jalan Panchor in Parit Salleh was renamed Jalan Kampung Beroleh on February 10, 2026 [2].
SMK Suria Jaya’s partial opening in September 2026 and the expanded contract teacher intake reflect efforts to meet growing education demand ahead of wide infrastructure completion by year-end.
