Home Civil Society Voices Clear directives needed to end period spot checks

Clear directives needed to end period spot checks

JUAN PABLO SERRANO ARENAS/ PEXELS

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Sisters in Islam (SIS) recognises and welcomes the circular issued by the Ministry of Education directing the prohibition of physical check-ups, particularly period spot checks.

The circular, dated 2 November 2021, emphasises that these physical check-ups should not happen at any education institutions under the ministry.

The circular also mentioned that the department of state education and the district education office must be aware and conduct continuous monitoring to ensure that period spot checks will not happen anymore. Serious actions will be taken against education institutions under the ministry that conduct period spot checks.

While the circular shows progress in ending period spot checks, there are a few details that are unclear. For example, does the circular include private education institutions and education institutions under state governments and other governmental bodies such as religious schools and tahfiz schools?

What are the guidelines if period spot checks are still conducted in education institutions? Are the students able to report to the school, principal or report straight to the police? What kinds of actions or punishments will be taken against the individuals who conduct period spot checks? Will
counselling be provided for students who have undergone period spot checks?

Period spot checks are vile, disgusting and repulsive and they have no place anywhere, especially in schools and institutions of learning. It is a form of sexual harassment and physical assault and it must be stopped immediately.

Without more specific and detailed measures, it remains to be seen whether the circular is sufficient to end this practice, especially in institutions that are not under the ministry.

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Schools and other education institutions must provide a safe place for their students. We also urge other education institutions that are not under the ministry to issue the necessary directives and implement the required measures to ensure that our students are free from such
violations. – SIS

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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