The Odisha government issued a "extremely urgent" direction to all district collectors, requiring the rapid deployment of full sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities throughout the state's educational network.
The action comes after a historic Supreme Court decision in the case of Dr. Jaya Thakur vs. Government of India (2022), which established a national mandate for menstrual hygiene management in schools.
The directive, issued by N. Thirumala Naik, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, represents a strong push to make classrooms more inclusive and safer for pupils.District Education Officers have been directed to undertake annual inspections and solicit direct student feedback to ensure that these criteria are not only reached, but also maintained.
Mandatory Infrastructure and Menstrual Support
Under the new requirements, all schools in Odisha, both public and private, must have functional, gender-segregated bathrooms. These facilities must have a steady water supply and specialised handwashing stations.
The directive puts a strong emphasis on three essential areas:
Schools are now required to supply free Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to female students. The government wants that they be available through vending machines or specified distribution stations.MHM Corners: Every campus must now have Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners that are fully stocked with necessary supplies.
Inclusive Design: Sanitation infrastructure must prioritise privacy and be fully accessible to children with impairments.
Waste Management and Awareness
To address long-standing disposal concerns, the government has mandated the installation of environmentally friendly methods for managing sanitary waste.
This includes providing covered bins and implementing stringent, regular cleaning methods to maintain high hygiene standards.Beyond physical infrastructure, the state is addressing the social stigma associated with menstruation. Schools are supposed to include menstrual health and puberty awareness activities in their curricula.
Additionally, instructors will receive specific training to ensure that they can provide sensitive and knowledgeable support to adolescents as they transition through puberty.
Compliance and Accountability
The state administration has made it clear that this is an obligatory decree rather than a suggestion recommendation. All districts must file "Action Taken Reports" promptly to demonstrate compliance with the Supreme Court's vision.The order intends to demolish the hurdles that frequently prevent girl students from attending school on a regular basis by combining infrastructure enhancements with teacher training and student feedback loops, ensuring that menstruation health is considered as a vital component of the right to education.