THE period spot checks that were carried out on students in a school in Setapak is a tradition handed down through the generations, said Radzi Jidin.

The Senior Minister (Education) told the Dewan Rakyat today that the students told education authorities it was a school tradition carried out by senior students and had been done for generations.

Radzi, who visited the school on October 27 after the issue was highlighted on social media, said the ministry decided not to announce their findings as it was a student affair.

“The (period) checks were carried out by students. As such, to reduce public pressure, we decided not to announce our findings but advised them to stop doing it,” Radzi said during the government’s winding-up session on the Supply Bill 2022 debate today.

He said the Education Ministry’s director-general had also issued a reminder, dated November 2, about physical checks on female students.

“We know it happens and we decided that all the principals must ensure that it stops immediately in schools under the ministry of education.”

The minister was responding to Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-Pakatan Harapan) who asked for an update on the issue.

When asked who had instructed the senior students to carry out the spot checks, Radzi said there were different versions on the matter.

“Some said it was a tradition by the student leaders to ensure students follow certain disciplinary measures but we are checking to see if any teachers were involved.

“In general, we have met all the students and some of them have accepted it as a tradition that has been practised in the school for a long time. Some of them didn’t know that this should not be done,” said Radzi.

The minister, however, assured Parliament that the appropriate action will be taken against any teacher involved in the period spot checks.

The controversial practice of period spot checks at schools has been a longstanding complaint from students and parents who said it is an invasion of privacy.

Checks are performed from time to time to prevent students from skipping their prayers as, according to Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to attend congregational prayers. – November 15, 2021.