PROPOSAL TO CHECK SCHOOL BAGS WELCOMED

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to allow headmasters to check school bags for
condoms, Ecstasy pills and cigarettes have been welcomed by the National
PTA Collaboration Council and the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP).

Council president Associate Prof Haji Mohamad Ali Hassan said Deputy
Education Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Samsuddin's proposal was welcomed and
the PTAs would co-operate in this matter.

"This task should not be left to the headmaster alone but should also be
carried out by teachers,'' he said.

He said as a long term measure to overcome these problems, there should be
an awareness programme covering the spiritual, physical and community aspects.

NUTP Secretary-General Siva Subramaniam also welcomed the move, "as all
kinds of items were kept in school bags'' meant only for books and related
materials.

There should not only be spot checks on school bags but in the classrooms
and toilets so that students would be discouraged from bringing prohibited
items.