Ultraman, Mickey help beat 1st day blues in Malaysia schools

The Japanese television character Ultraman greets pupils of SK Sri Rengit in Batu Pahat on the first day of school on Sunday. PHOTO C/O THE STAR ONLINE

PETALING JAYA—Ultraman skipped fighting mutated monsters for a day when he made a surprise but delightful appearance at a primary school in Johor on Sunday.

SK Sri Rengit in Batu Pahat helped its pupils beat first-day blues when it brought two of the popular Japanese television characters to welcome pupils, who quickly warmed up to their super hero.

At SK Taman Scientex in Pasir Gudang, Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse were on hand to welcome the pupils.

Photographs of children posing with Ultraman have gone viral on social media with many praising the school’s efforts.

SK Rengit headmaster Le Ronzee Samad said the school wanted to attract the pupils’ attention by relieving their fears and anxiety on the first day of school.

“We thought of ideas to attract the attention of the children on the first day of school. So, we came up with the idea of having Ultraman greeting them at the entrance of the school,” he said when The Star Online contacted him on Monday.

Le Ronzee said Ultraman was a character that was well loved by children regardless of their age.

“The children like Ultraman and it is a character that helps people, does not give up, will persevere and is always successful,” he said.

Le Ronzee said he wanted the students to have the same spirit of Ultraman that “is helpful and (persevering).”

Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse welcome pupils on the first day of school at SK Taman Scientex. PHOTO C/O STAR ONLINE

On its Facebook page, SK Taman Scientex praised its pupils for the new school session of 2017.

“All is cheerful. Congratulations to everyone that attended school today,” it said, attaching 30 photos of its students posing with the cartoon characters.

For Rahimah Mohd Noor, seeing Ultraman at the entrance of the school welcoming her 10-year-old son was a pleasant surprise.

“As a parent, having teachers and Ultraman on the first day of school greeting my son with smiles created a fun atmosphere.

“The children are happy so I think this is a very good effort made by the school to relieve the nervousness of the children,” she said.

Rahimah said her son, Amer Ziman Iqram Noordin, was so excited that he even forgot to bid her goodbye and walked straight into the school compound.

Schools in Johor opened Sunday as New Year’s Day is not a public holiday. All schools and working days in Johor begin on a Sunday.