Tamil Nadu: Eighth Student forced to take the exam outside of class due to menstruation, command for inquiry

Chennai, April 10 (IANS). A shocking incident came to light in a private school in the Coimbatore district. Allegedly, a VIII student was forced to sit out of the classroom because of her menstruation and take the exam. The incident happened at a school in Senguttaipalam near Polachi. A video recorded by the girl’s mother showed that the girl was sitting on the stairs outside the class to take the exam. The video went on social media viral, after which the authorities began investigating. According to sources, the student took two exams this week. His parents demanded a separate desk to keep in mind with his menstrual condition during the investigation. Despite this, the girl was forced to sit on the floor outside class on Monday. Wednesday, when the girl came to school for the second exam, her parents put her out of class again. In the video recorded by the mother, the student is heard that the principal instructed her to sit there. Director of Matriculation Color A. Palanisamy confirmed that the chief education officer is investigating the incident. “Explanation of the school management and the appropriate steps will be taken after the report has been received,” he said. Assistant superintendent of police Srishti Singh began the investigation on Thursday. He said that the girl’s mother approached the class teacher on the evening of April 6 and requested a special seat arrangement, but that she was asked to talk to the principal. The next day on April 7, while leaving her daughter’s school, the mother met the principal and requested a separate seat arrangement to prevent the risk of infection. After the mother left, the student sat outside class. That evening the girl complained of leg pain by sitting on the hard surface. The next day she did not go to school, but the same situation came to light again when she returned on Wednesday. When a family member saw him sitting outside, the family informed, after which his mother immediately reached the school and made a video. The video is now getting viral. Although no formal complaint has been filed so far, the authorities have ensured a fair investigation into receiving the complaint. Meanwhile, the principal of the school suspended the principal in terms of section 17 of the Law on Education Act, 2009. This stream prevents incidents of harassing children physically or mentally. -Ians fz/ak