PARBAT, March 14: The social development ministry of Gandaki Province has decided to distribute sanitary pads to the girls appearing in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) this year.

Considering the fact that a large number of girls miss their school due to periods, the ministry decided to distribute sanitary pads to the female examinees making sure they do not miss SEE. Guma Wagle, women development officer at the ministry, informed Republica that the purpose of this decision was to make girls comfortable during the examination.

Students across the country will be appearing for SEE from March 24. "We have found that most girls do not come to the school during their periods due to the fear of stains," said Wagle, adding, "We don't want periods to affect their exams. Therefore, we will give them sanitary pad."According to the details provided by the District Education and Coordination Unit (DECU), there will be 19 exam centers in Parbat for altogether 2,874 students sitting for SEE. Reportedly, 437 of them are girls. The ministry has already handed over a check of Rs 13,000 to the District Education Committee (DEC), Parbat, for purchasing sanitary pads for the girls.

After accepting the check, Manohar Bikram Paudel, chairperson of DEC as well as the chief of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) praised the ministry for offering the help to the female examinees.

The ministry has sanctioned a budget of around Rs 500,000 to buy sanitary pads for girls in nine districts of Gandaki Province, excluding Manang and Mustang. Devi Sharma, development inspector at the ministry, informed Republica that no budget could be allocated for Mustang and Manning as the number of girls taking SEE is very low in these two districts.

Uddhimraj Paudel, chief of DECU, expressed his greatfullness for the ministry. "We will be distributing sanitary pads to all girl examinees before the exam starts," said Paudel.

 
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