Virginity Test Proposed For Indonesian Students

PALEMBANG, Indonesia (AP) — An education official on Indonesia's Sumatra island has proposed that female senior high school students be required to undergo virginity tests to discourage premarital sex and protect against prostitution.

Muhammad Rasyid, head of the local education office says he wants to start the tests next year and has proposed a budget for it. But other officials and activists have criticized the plan, arguing it is discriminatory and violates human rights.

The provincial education chief says he'll suggest that the school official drop the plan because girls should be nurtured and not judged.

In order to pass, it would need approval from the district council of lawmakers.

A similar plan was scrapped in another Sumatran province in 2010 amid widespread criticism.