The regulatory body responsible for education standards in Victorian schools is investigating the Al-Taqwa Islamic college, following reports that the principal banned female students from cross-country running because he believed it may cause them to “lose their virginity”.
The deputy premier and education minister, James Merlino, confirmed on Thursday morning that the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority was investigating the claims.
Guardian Australia has contacted the college, in the western Melbourne suburb of Truganina, for comment.
According to Fairfax, a former teacher said the ban was implemented because of principal Omar Hallak’s belief that if females ran excessively, they could “lose their virginity”.
The teacher reportedly wrote to the state and federal education minister, saying; “The principal believes that there is scientific evidence to indicate that if girls injure themselves, such as break their leg while playing soccer, it could render them infertile”.
Female students at the school also wrote a letter to Hallak following the ban.
Fairfax reports that the students wrote: “This letter is about the cross country that has been cancelled. Aparantly [sic] it is because girls can’t run and that is really offensive to all the girls that were going to participate in the event.
“As long as girls are wearing appropriate clothes, we can run. As a principal you should treat all subjects equally.”
Guardian Australia has contacted the office of the federal education minister, Christopher Pyne, for comment.
So that's how it happens
So that's how it happens
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: So that's how it happens
Katherine Switzer must be in a state of 
But does the principal believe the risk is virginity or sterility or both? Or does it matter since the decision is nonsense?
But does the principal believe the risk is virginity or sterility or both? Or does it matter since the decision is nonsense?-
MajGenl.Meade
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Re: So that's how it happens
It's not cross-country that's risky....
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Re: So that's how it happens
LOL!! Nice one
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”