Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued an urgent directive to all district collectors to ensure strict implementation of sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, in line with directions of the Supreme Court of India.

The order, issued by School and Mass Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary N. Thirumala Naik, follows the landmark judgment in Dr. Jaya Thakur vs. Government of India (2022), which mandates comprehensive measures for menstrual hygiene management across educational institutions.

As per the directive, all schools—government and private—must ensure functional, gender-segregated toilets with proper water supply and handwashing facilities. Special emphasis has been laid on privacy, accessibility for children with disabilities, and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure.

The government has also directed schools to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to girl students, preferably through vending machines or designated distribution points. Establishment of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners equipped with essential materials has also been made mandatory.

To address disposal concerns, schools have been instructed to install safe and environmentally compliant systems for sanitary waste management, along with covered bins and regular cleaning protocols.

Further, awareness programmes on menstrual health and puberty are to be incorporated, while teachers will undergo training to sensitively support students. District Education Officers have been asked to conduct annual inspections, gather student feedback, and ensure follow-up action.

The directive, marked ‘extremely urgent’, requires immediate compliance and submission of Action Taken Reports, signalling the state government’s push towards safer and more inclusive school environments.