Deputy minister promises to look into school text book’s ‘modesty’ lesson for girls

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching thanked parents who brought the matter to her attention.

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching has promised to look into the contents of a primary school text book over a guideline on modesty for girls which critics say amounts to “victim blaming”.

“I would like to thank those parents for bringing this issue to my attention,” the Kulai MP said in a statement.

FMT today reported concerns on social media over the Year 3 book, which among others suggested that girls risked losing their friends and bringing shame to their families if they have sex.

A page shared on Twitter detailed how a girl should respect the “modesty of her private parts” and “save her dignity”.

Among others, she should wear appropriate clothing, close the room door when changing, and avoid walking alone in secluded areas, the book said.

Teo said she would take follow-up action to correct the passages in the book.

“Victims should not be blamed.

“Hopefully, we can give the right type of education to our children,” she said.