‘School of Hope' began its work on Monday with five pregnant teenagers girls joining on Monday.

Four Malays and ethnic Chinese students resumed their studies in Forms Four and Five at the school in Malacca state. The teenagers, who were accompanied by their parents, were first required to make their formal application at the Malacca Islamic Religious Department before heading to the school.

The first to be seen was a young Chinese teenager, who arrived with her parents at the school's dormitory, House of Hope. Malacca Chief Minister Mohammed Ali Rustam on Monday said families of five pregnant teenagers had sought to enroll their daughters in the school here.

The five teens hailed from Malacca, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang states and Kuala Lumpur, and they were aged between 16 and 17 years. The school can accommodate 40 students. The chief minister said that students’ privacy will be protected and requested the public and the media to stick to the rule.

There was furore all over Malaysia after Mr. Mohamed Ali Rustam announced the setting up of the school two months ago, The Star, Malaysian English daily said. Mr. Ali defended the move saying it was to provide pregnant teenagers with a second chance as they were affected and to curb illicit sex and baby dumping.