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The Sun
10th Mar 2006

Students 'encouraged' to wear the tudung
Regina William and Husna Yusop

PENANG: It's a matter of semantics when it comes to whether Muslim girls have to wear the tudung in school.

Most schools use the word "digalakkan" (encouraged) and at least one school has made it compulsory ("diwajibkan") in its regulations book.

But whatever the term used, checks with a number of schools and students showed that those who do not wear the tudung are told off and counselled.

This was what happened at SMK Abdullah Munshi in Georgetown, Penang, when students were pulled out of a netball tournament by their principal, Fadzillah Shaharim, because some of them had removed their tudung during a match.

It was learnt at least one student got a warning last week after she removed her headscarf during the Penang schools Jelutong zone athletics meet.

The Sun made a check and found that in Kulim, schools which strictly enforced the `wear tudung' ruling, even though not in writing, were SMK Sultan Badlishah, SMK Kulim, SMK Tengku Panglima Besar and SMK Convent Kulim. In Penang, it was compulsory in almost all the national secondary schools, including several convent schools.

SMK Convent Pulau Tikus has made it compulsory in its rules book.

Principal Fatimah Othman, who took over the helm of the school in January, said: "I have not made any comments on this, nor enforced this, as I myself don't wear a tudung. The only time I check on students wearing the tudung is to ensure they abide by the guidelines on what type of tudung they should wear."

SMK Tanjung Bungah principal Shafie Hashim told theSun the tudung was optional. "However, those who do not wear it will be counselled and advised to wear it as they are Muslims." What the authorities say: ? Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein: According to the existing rules and regulations, there is no compulsion for the student to wear the tudung.

"Personally, I feel there is no problem for a student wearing a tudung to take part in sports. I have seen people (wearing tudung) perform (in sports), there should not be an issue." ? Penang acting Education director Abdul Rahman Yob: Female Muslim students are not "forced" to wear the tudung by the school administration.

The department has issued guidelines for schools on the issue.

"It is really up to the student and her parents. There is no ruling to force any student to wear the "tudung" in Penang.

"Usually, Muslim students are encouraged to wear the tudung but they are not forced to do so." ? Sisters in Islam programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi: SIS opposes any attempt by any government, public institution or the private sector, to force girls and/or women to cover or uncover their heads.

She said SIS maintains that the personal choice of the girls and women must be respected and no punitive measure or harsh treatment should be imposed.