Safeguards sought against misuse of menstrual leave in schools

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective. First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming. Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day. Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features. A medical officer from the district has urged the government to ensure that menstrual leave for schoolgirls is not misused, and that students’ privacy is protected. K. Prathibha, medical officer from Tanur known for her interventions in public issues, has written to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan seeking strict guidelines and mandatory medical certification for students availing menstrual leave. In her letter, Dr. Prathibha said schoolgirls experiencing severe physical or psychological difficulties during menstruation should be granted leave based on an annual certificate issued by a government female doctor. She also proposed that menstrual leave requests be handled by a female teacher. “If the class teacher or headmaster or principal is male, a female teacher should be designated as a nodal officer to oversee decisions on menstrual leave,” she said. Dr. Prathibha said safeguards were needed to prevent misuse of the provision. Students who can attend classes without major discomfort do not require leave, she said. “Unrestricted access to menstrual leave could lead to misuse and related issues,” she warned. Dr. Prathibha also called on schools to ensure that students on menstrual leave remain under the care of their parents or guardians during the period of absence.