Last Update: January 13, 2023, 18:23 IST
CUSAT has over 8000 students in various streams and more than half of them are girls (Representational Image)
The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has given an additional 2 per cent relaxation for the shortfall in attendance of female students in each semester.
Now, girl students of a university in Kerala can avail “menstrual benefit” as an additional exemption for lack of attendance.
In view of the long pending demand of the students, the renowned Cochin Science University and technology (CUSAT) here has approved an additional 2 per cent for shortfall in attendance of female students in each semester.
An autonomous university, CUSAT has more than 8000 students in various streams and more than half of them are girls.
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“After considering the requests for benefits of menstruation to female students, the Vice-Chancellor has ordered to sanction an additional 2% for shortfall in attendance of female students in each semester, subject to reporting to the Academic Council,” a recent The order was issued by the Joint Registrar.
According to university sources, various student unions have been pressing for menstrual benefits for girl students for some time now.
A proposal in this regard was formally submitted to the Vice-Chancellor recently and it was approved following which an order was issued.
When contacted, a CUSAT official said that relaxation will be different for each student as it will depend on his/her attendance.
“It will be different for each student. Every female student can claim two per cent of her total attendance as menstruation benefit. Hence the exact number of leave has not been mentioned in the order.”
The order will apply to girl students of all streams, including those pursuing PhD in the university, and is expected to come into force with immediate effect, the official said.
University Students’ Union President Namita George expressed happiness that her demand was accepted by the university without any objection.
“As per the rules, CUSAT students are required to have 75 per cent attendance in each semester to appear for the exam. But through the new order, girl students will get a relaxation of two per cent and their eligible attendance will be reduced to 73 per cent in each semester.
Namita, an LLB student, said that though the union’s earlier demand was to grant a specific number of days off each semester as menstrual leave, the university pointed out some practical difficulties in implementing it.
“Those practical issues were genuine. Therefore, we also accepted the suggestion of a provision to waive the shortfall of girl students. The university authorities including the Vice-Chancellor took a positive stand on the issue.
The order will be placed before the Academic Council for procedural approval and is expected to be implemented soon after its approval.
Sridevi, a PhD student under Kerala University, told PTI that a uniform system should be implemented in all higher educational institutions.
CUSAT’s decision to give menstruation benefit to girl students is historic. I think this is very important and should be implemented in all colleges and universities.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)