SC ORDERS BETTER MENSTRUAL HYGIENE FACILITIES IN SCHOOLS

Panaji: March 16, 2026

Directorate of Education has informed that the Supreme Court of India has issued the directions to all the Educational Institutions regarding menstrual hygienic facilities in schools.

The every school must have functional, gender-segregated toilets with usable water connectivity. The school toilets shall be equipped with functional hand washing facilities, with soap and water available at all times. Further every school must provide Oxo-Biodegradable sanitary napkins manufactured in compliance with the ASTM D-6954 standards free of cost. Such sanitary napkins shall be made readily accessible to girl students, preferably within the toilet premises through sanitary napkin vending machines or where such installation is not immediately feasible, at a designated place or with a designated authority within the school.

Similarly every school must establish Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners. Such MHM corners shall be equipped with, including but not limited to, spare innerwear, spare uniforms, disposable bags and other necessary materials to address menstruation related exigencies and each toilet unit shall be equipped with a covered waste bin for the collection of sanitary material and cleanliness and regular maintenance of such bins shall be ensured at all times.

It is therefore enjoined upon all the School Managements in the State of adhere to the directives of the Supreme Court of India for the health and hygiene of our students.

DI/INF/AXP/SAG/PD/UH/2026/1318