Schoolgirls eligible for menstrual leave

Linking lofty principles and ordinary bodily functions, the Ministry of Education said yesterday that middle- and high-school girls would be entitled to skip school during their menstruation.
The ministry said the move would protect the human rights of female students.
Those taking the days off will not be penalized on their attendance records, and tests given on days they are absent will be scored at 80 to 100 percent of the score on the most recent tests they took.
The ministry added that the move would also help protect student health.
Four middle and high schools have been running a pilot study of the new policy since last May.
At present, students missing class because of menstrual pain were charged with an absence and were disqualified from receiving perfect attendance awards.