Kerala University students to get six months maternity break

Thiruvananthapuram: In a first, state-run Kerala University on Monday announced up to six months of maternity leave to female students above 18 years of age.

The state government had earlier notified that institutes of higher education in the state could cap the minimum attendance for women at 73% to account for menstrual leave.

According to the report after the syndicate meeting, women can join their college after a leave of six months due to pregnancy without taking re-admission in their course. In order to avail the benefit, they have to submit their medical documents that must be verified by the college principals.

In all state-run universities, the Kerala Higher Education department had allowed maternity leave of up to 60 days for girl students above 18 years.

The move comes as part of the efforts to sensitise education and ease access to education for women.

Several universities are introducing the provision of maternity and menstrual leave for their students in Kerala.

In January, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), allowed menstrual leave to its female students after the demand was raised by its student union.

If the order is extended to all the institutions, Kerala will become one of the first states to provide maternity and menstrual leave to girl students in their college.

In January, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala would be the first state in the country to provide menstrual and maternity leaves to all women students in all institutions under the State government's Higher Education Department.

Praising the decision, he said the move will indicate his government's commitment to ensuring gender justice in society and show its pro-women stance at a larger level.