An Islamic college here has banned its girl students from participating in running competitions as its principal believes it may cause them to "lose their virginity", prompting an investigation by an Australian regulatory body. According to 'The Age', the issue of banning the girls from running by the Al-Taqwa College in Truganina suburb was being probed by the state schools regulator Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
The report quoted a letter sent to the education ministers this week by a former teacher which claimed that female students were being discriminated against at the school. "The principal holds beliefs that if females run excessively, they may 'lose their virginity'," the letter said adding "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".