The University of Kerala on March 6 announced six months’ maternity leave for female students above the age of 18, weeks after the state government informed institutions of higher education in the state that they would allow menstrual leave for women. may limit the compulsory attendance to 73% for ,
The University Syndicate agreed that a student who takes maternity leave of up to six months may return to class without needing to reapply. According to the syndicate, college administrators must evaluate applicants’ medical data before allowing them to re-enroll in classes without permission from the university.
The institution has already reduced the minimum compulsory attendance for female students from 75% to 73%.
In January, the higher education department ordered menstrual leave for students in all higher education institutions in Kerala. Mahatma Gandhi University was the first university to announce a radical change in the higher education system keeping gender equality in mind.
Also, Kerala University of Health Sciences has agreed to provide 6 months maternity leave to its students who are enrolled in other colleges. The decision was taken in a meeting held at the administrative center of the university on Saturday. Government recommended that state colleges may provide maternity leave of up to 6 weeks to students; However, the Kerala University of Health Sciences decided to grant 6 months leave.