In a swift response to a reported three-month disruption, the Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi has issued a directive to all government schools to immediately resume the procurement and distribution of sanitary napkins to girl students. This action comes after it was revealed that over six lakh girls studying in classes VI to XII had not received these essential hygiene products despite a standing court order.
Directive Issued to Restore Vital Scheme
On December 24, the DoE released an order explicitly authorising the heads of all government schools to continue procuring and distributing sanitary napkins under the Kishori Yojana. The order clarified that the scheme's implementation had been officially extended until September 2025, with the approval of the director of education. The directive mandates that school principals "shall continue to procure and distribute sanitary napkins to girl students," aiming to put an end to the supply gap.
Contempt Notice and Legal Action
The failure to distribute the napkins since October 2025 was flagged as a clear violation of a Delhi High Court order dated July 6, 2022. The civil rights group Social Jurist sent a legal notice for contempt of court to Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma. The notice emphasised that the court had previously underscored the critical role of menstrual hygiene in ensuring girl students do not drop out of school.
Ashok Agarwal, the education activist and lawyer representing the group, provided an update on the situation. "Vendors have already become active. Since tomorrow is a holiday, supplies should start by December 26th," he stated. Agarwal confirmed speaking to a vendor who received the order and began preparations immediately, expecting supplies to reach schools promptly as they remain open until December 31.
Background and Broader Implications
The Kishori Yojana was formulated by the DoE specifically to ensure access to sanitary napkins, thereby supporting the personal hygiene and general health of adolescent girls in government schools. The recent contempt notice references an ongoing writ petition that brought the distribution halt to light. The swift directive from the DoE and the reactivation of vendors indicate a concerted effort to rectify the lapse and comply with the High Court's mandate for uninterrupted distribution, a key factor in promoting educational continuity for girls.
