New Delhi: Punjab University (PU), Chandigarh has become the first university in the region to offer menstrual leave to female students. The vice chancellor, Renu Vig, has granted the proposal, and the leaves will be implemented in the upcoming semesters for the academic session 2024–25 in anticipation of approval from the university senate that will take the final call, reported Hindustan Times.
The dean of university instruction (DUI) Rumina Sethi issued a circular earlier this week. Students should note that while the menstrual leave will be granted, terms and conditions have also been attached to it.
As per the official notification, students can take one day of leave ‘per calendar month of teaching’, where teaching has taken place for at least 15 days. Students will be allowed a maximum of four such leaves per semester, with the leave days limited to teaching days. In addition to that, the leaves will not be admissible during any examinations, whether mid-semester or end-semester exams, internal or external, or even for practical examinations, the report added.
Students will have to fill out a form at the department office to avail menstrual leave. They will have to apply for leave within five working days of their absence. The chairperson or director of the department will grant the leave on self-certification by the student.
According to the Hindustan Times, the VC of Punjab University had formed a committee to look into the matter under the dean of university instruction (DUI). The committee’s first meeting was conducted on January 24, when PUCSC general secretary Deepak Goyat and PUCSC vice president Ranmeekjot Kaur opposed the move. The president then submitted proposals from six universities where this system is already in place to support its move. After this, a sub-committee was constituted on February 15 to study these proposals and draft a policy for the university, HT reported.
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