Outrage in Tamil Nadu: Student Forced to Sit Outside During Exam Due to Menstruation
Incident Sparks Outrage in Coimbatore
A distressing event at a private matriculation school in Coimbatore has ignited public anger after a Class VIII girl was compelled to take her annual exam outside the classroom due to her menstrual cycle. This incident occurred in Senguttaipalayam, near Pollachi.
A video taken by the girl's mother, which shows her daughter sitting on the steps outside while attempting to complete her exam, has gone viral on social media, leading to an official investigation.
Reports indicate that the student had two exams scheduled for the week, and her parents had requested a separate desk inside the classroom to accommodate her needs during menstruation.
However, on Monday, she was made to sit on the floor outside the classroom to take her exam. When she returned for another exam on Wednesday, her parents discovered she was once again outside.
In the video, the girl mentions that the principal had directed her to sit there.
A Palanisamy, the Director of Matriculation Schools, confirmed that the Chief Educational Officer is looking into the matter. He stated, "An explanation has been requested from the school management, and appropriate actions will follow the report's findings."
Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh provided details of the preliminary inquiry conducted on Thursday. She noted that the girl's mother had reached out to the class teacher on April 6 to request special seating arrangements but was advised to speak with the principal.
The next day, the mother met with the principal while dropping off her daughter and reiterated the need for special arrangements to avoid any health risks. After her departure, the student was instructed to sit outside the classroom, leading to complaints of leg pain from the hard surface.
She missed school the following day but returned on Wednesday, only to face the same situation again. A relative who spotted her outside informed the family, prompting her mother to rush to the school and capture the now-famous video.
While no formal police complaint has been filed yet, officials have promised a thorough investigation once it is submitted. In the meantime, the school’s correspondent has suspended the principal under Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which prohibits any form of physical or mental harassment against children.