NGO Sisters In Islam (SIS) has taken Senior Education Minister Mohd Radzi Jidin to task over his statement in Parliament that period spot checks were a tradition practised among school seniors on their juniors and that the students were unaware that such checks were not official.
"This is cause for critical concern. The statement made by the minister gives the impression since it is a tradition that was passed down from seniors to juniors that students were to blame for period spot checks.
"This also begs the question, if they were conducted by teachers, wardens, or any staff of the school, would these checks be regarded as official and condoned?
"Why is this disgusting culture practised in schools in the first place?" asked SIS.
The NGO reminded Razdi (above) of the study conducted by All Women’s Action Society (Awam) in April 2021 on sexual harassment and bullying in educational institutions in Malaysia where 275 testimonials were collected through social media and messaging apps.
"The analysis found that the perpetrators were mainly figures of authority within schools.
"Out of 311 perpetrators, 247 of them (79.4 percent) were teachers, ustazah, ustaz, and wardens.
"While there were student perpetrators such as prefects and senior students, especially for period spot check cases, these violations were committed in the context of a normalised practice that was openly sanctioned and enforced by teachers, ustazah, and ustaz.
SIS said it recognises the circular dated Nov 2, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) which prohibited physical check-ups, particularly period spot checks, as a step to end the practice.
However, the group urged the MoE to provide statistics on period spot checks from their investigations on this issue to support the Senior Minister of Education’s statement.
"The statistics must also include the total of schools and educational institutions officially visited by the MoE and the number of students interviewed.
"We also demand that the MoE provide a clear directive on the processes and procedures to be reported by the students if period spot checks are still conducted in schools and other educational institutions.
"Are the students able to report to the school, principal, or other relevant education authorities and in the absence of such processes, that they will not be penalised if they report directly to the police?" said SIS.
The group asked Radzi to clearly state what kinds of sanctions or punishments will be taken towards individuals who conduct period spot checks and if counselling is provided for students who have undergone period spot checks.
"SIS also calls for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development headed by Rina Mohd Harun to come forward to make schools a safer place by ending period spot checks.
"It is gravely disappointing when a ministry that is responsible to protect women, children, and the community chooses to stay silent on this vile and repulsive practice that has no place anywhere, especially in schools and institutions of learning," said the group.
The issuance of the circular followed a visit by Radzi to the ERT Vocational College in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur last month following allegations that period spot checks had been conducted.
A source said about 30 girls aged 18 and 19 were rounded up at around 7.50pm on Oct 18, given cotton buds, and were told to "prove" they were on their period.
Various groups and public figures - including Awam, Azalina Othman Said, Rafidah Aziz, Anwar Ibrahim, Hannah Yeoh, Teo Nie Ching, Kasthuri Patto, Fadhlina Sidek, and Maszlee Malik - have also called for the ministry’s action on the matter since the incidents were first reported by Malaysiakini in April.
In June, Radzi said the Education Ministry was in the final stages of forming an independent committee to look into procedures to address complaints of period spot checks in schools, as well as other related matters.
Key details on the probe’s committee have yet to be disclosed to the public. Malaysiakini has sent more than 10 enquiries on this matter without receiving a response. - Mkini
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