A disturbing case of alleged discrimination has emerged from a government higher secondary school in Senguttaipalayam village, Tamil Nadu, where a Class 8 girl was made to write her exam outside the classroom because she had her period. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting swift action from authorities.
A video of a student sitting with her exam materials on the stairway outside her classroom has gone viral. In the video, the child is questioned by a woman who appears to be her mother. She responds that the principal and class teacher asked her to take her exam outside.
Principal Suspended, Investigation Underway
Following the video's circulation and mounting public backlash, the school’s headmistress has been suspended. Officials from the district school education department have launched an investigation, according to the Indian Express reports.
According to initial statements from school authorities, the girl's mother had reportedly requested separate arrangements for her daughter during her menstrual period. However, she was shocked to find her child seated outside the classroom without even a desk to write on.
“While the school insists the decision was based on the mother’s preference, the mother was offended at seeing her daughter writing the exam without even a desk. We have issued a show-cause notice in parallel to the probe by the school education department,” said a police officer, as reported by the Indian Express.
Public Outrage
The clip has sparked widespread outrage on the internet, with most pointing to the continued stigma of menstruation in schools and society. Activists and netizens are calling for tougher action and demanding greater awareness of menstrual hygiene and sensitivity in schools.
