Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 16: With just four months remaining in the academic year, government schools across Karnataka have yet to receive sanitary napkins meant for distribution this year under the health and family welfare department’s sanitary kit scheme. Teachers have raised concerns that the delay is forcing girls to skip classes.

Every year, the department provides sanitary kits containing 10 sanitary napkins each to approximately 19 lac girls aged 10 to 18 years in schools and pre-university colleges. The programme, restarted in 2024 with a focus on student health and hygiene, also mandates proper disposal of used napkins.

A teacher from Government High School, Hagaribommanahalli, was quoting as saying in The New Indian Express as: “In the previous academic year, schools and colleges received sanitary napkins under this scheme, which we distributed to menstruating students. However, this year, neither pads nor incinerators have been supplied. Recently, two girls had to leave school and return home due to the shortage of pads. When we approached the department, officials advised sending students to primary health centres to collect napkins. With board examinations in three months, this is causing serious difficulties for the students.”

Another teacher from Government High School in Chimangala, Shidlaghatta taluk, highlighted the inadequacy of the uniform-sized napkins provided. “The quality of the sanitary napkins is not always adequate, and one standard size cannot meet the needs of all girls. Shops stock a variety of sizes, yet schools supply only a single standard size for students of all ages,” the teacher said.

Gynaecologist Dr Hema Divakar stressed the need for a change in public perception. “Girls’ health and hygiene are closely linked. If the government does not provide sanitary napkins, families must include them in essential household items. These sanitary napkins are available at public health centres for one or two rupees and can be procured from there,” she said.

M Kanagavalli, managing director of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation, said, “We are calling tenders for the supply of sanitary napkins. A pre-bid meeting has been held, and several queries are being evaluated and technically verified. The process will be completed within a month, and sanitary napkins will be supplied to schools.”