Sanitary pads to girls in BBMP schools?

BANGALORE: The BBMP’s Standing Committee on Education and Sports is likely to introduce ‘Sanitary Pad Scheme’ for girl students in BBMP schools.Around 6,000 students in BBMP schools will benefit from this scheme. The proposal was mooted when H Siddaiah was the BBMP Commissioner.Chairman of the Standing Committee Chairman on Education and Sports Ramesh Raju said, “The students who come to Corporation schools are from poor and lower middle classes.Their parents are not bold enough to educate children about sexuality and the changes a person goes through during the age of puberty.” “The girl students have to face embarrassment due to their monthly problems. They cannot discuss these things with others. They feel shy to tell their parents and it may lead to some health complication due to fungus if proper care is not taken,” he added.He said they have set aside an amount of Rs 81 lakh for the purpose.Accordingly, sanitary pads will be distributed to girl students in 13 high schools, 16 PUC colleges and one degree college. Around 30 pad machines and vending machines which will burn the used pads will be installed.The pads will be available if girls put in three coins of Rs 5 to the vending machines. “The same pads cost Rs 65 in shops,” he explained.Earlier, the files related to this proposal were sent to Commissioner H Siddaiah.However, he was transferred. Raju told Express that he will send the proposal to Commissioner M K Shankaralinge Gowda seeking top priority for its implementation.