IN April this year, the nation was shocked by the public exposé of an apparently decade-long practice of “period spot checks” on female pupils by either teachers or school prefects in learning institutions.

Various civil society organisations, including Gerak, then called on the Education Ministry to act. In response, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Jidin promised to look into the matter.

As of June 2021, the ministry was said to be finalising the formation of an independent committee to address the issue.

Recently, another report has emerged about an incident, which supposedly occurred on October 18 in the Klang Valley. Apparently, about 30 female pupils of a vocational school in Kuala Lumpur were asked to provide proof of their menstruation.

This revolting, barbaric practice is a clear violation of the pupils’ rights, especially their rights to privacy.

It is nothing less than sexual harassment and abuse, including abuse of power by the teachers and other “official” perpetrators.

Had the ministry acted immediately and decisively after the media exposure in April 2021, this recent incident would not have occurred.

Gerak is perplexed and exasperated at how slow the ministry has been in putting an immediate stop to such an abhorrent practice in learning institutions under its watch.

How many more pupils will need to be violated before the ministry takes concrete and decisive action?

Gerak would like to reiterate our call for the ministry to take stern action against all perpetrators and that a redress policy for such violations be put in place immediately.

It is the responsibility and obligation of the ministry to ensure that learning institutions are made safe for students to get an education and to learn.

And the clear responsibility of teachers is to provide pupils with a conducive environment to enhance their learning, and not, instead, to violate their rights and privacy. – October 31, 2021.

* Gerak is the Malaysian Academics Movement, a non-profit group for higher education professionals.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.