PANAJI
Following directions from the Central government, sanitary pads will be made available free of charge at all examination centres during the Board examinations, scheduled next year.
The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) in a circular issued has directed all the schools to make provision for separate restrooms for the female students during the examination period.
“Your attention is invited to the vital issue of menstrual hygiene management of students in school during high-stakes examinations such as class X and class XII Board exams. This issue is at times exacerbated during examinations when students are required to spend prolonged hours in examination halls without access to sanitary facilities or products,” said the circular issued by GBSHSE Secretary Vidhyadatta Naik.
The Board said that the lack of sanitary pads may impede the ability of girl students to concentrate on examination, potentially affecting their academic performance and overall well being in case of emergency.
Accordingly, GBSHSE said that sanitary pads will be made available free of cost across all the examination centres for the upcoming SSC and HSSC board examination as a proactive measure for supporting the health and dignity of the female students.
Board has also asked schools, which have been requested as exam centres for the ensuing public examination, to make a provision for separate restrooms during the exam so that female students can avail themselves of the same to attend to their menstrual needs, thereby helping to alleviate discomfort and reduce anxiety among female students during examination.
