School education in India has changed by leaps and bounds in the last decade. More schools are realizing that real learning is a combination of life skills, emotional intelligence and health awareness. One of the most significant and long-due changes being made is the introduction of menstrual health education and notably, the repositioning of that material as gender-inclusive.
Each of these examples represents how menstruation has been shrouded in silence: hushed voices in the hallways, awkward stares in biology class, and vague explanations that prompted even more questions. But today schools in Ludhiana are taking a different course. They are promoting open, age-appropriate conversation about menstruation from early grades on up, grounding it in science, empathy and equity.
This is a transformation, not a fad. And it’s one that’s being led by educators, counselors and five-step-ahead parents who think such adolescent education programs must prepare children not just for college, but also for life.
To me at least the most welcome change is that these sessions are no longer girl-exclusive. In many schools teaching life skills, boys are now being brought on board to join workshops on matters like puberty and menstrual health. The result? Less stigma, more sensitivity, a school environment in which empathy trumps awkwardness.
This kind of gender-inclusive education informs boys that menstruation is not “a girls’ issue” – it’s a human one. Boys who learn about periods become men who respect women’s health needs, who are there for their partners during their periods and who stand up for equality at home and at work. And that is the sort of ripple effect that begins in classrooms and emanates throughout society.
Teachers and school counselors can help students navigate the social isolation that often comes with childhood obesity. They are being trained as well. Many schools are enlisting the help of NGOs and doctors to train staff in the correct language, tools and approaches. It’s more than handing out leaflets. It’s about establishing places that are safe for children to ask uncomfortable questions, without fear or shame.
The curriculum will also take a new direction. Where health chapters used to skip over or only offer a dry medical explanation of menstruation, today’s schools get personal, providing storytelling, demonstrations and real-life content. These changes are molding a generation that’s not only better informed, but also more emotionally adept.
It’s not sufficient to schedule a one-off session once a year. Among the most progressive schools of Ludhiana, menstrual health is being embedded in the larger discourse around the school health initiatives that also include other themes like nutrition, mental well being, hygiene, and physical activity.
Pad kits are available to some schools at the infirmary, and girls are encouraged to monitor their cycles through mobile apps or student planners. Teachers are briefed on being supportive if a student needs to step out of class, or to seek help. Male staff including PT teachers are as well being sensitized.
It’s environments like this that open it up for all . It’s a message to students: Menstruation is not a disruption to be dealt with, but a natural change in the body that requires respect and understanding.
For this movement to blossom, schools are engaged with parents. Orientation sessions, WhatsApp newsletters and open forums are among the ways parents are getting a grip on what their children are learning and why.
A lot of parents and especially the fathers have said, “Wow, I wish we had learned this in school.” Their appreciation and openness to learn and unlearn mentalities usually results in openness to breaking generational prejudices.
After all, discussions among the children attending Ludhiana’s schools don’t end at the school gate. They continue at home, around dinner tables and in everyday interactions.
The reality is quite grim: almost 1 in 5 girls in India leave school after they start menstruating. The excuses range from lack of access to sanitary products and bathrooms to embarrassment and lack of support. When schools take the lead on menstrual instruction, they don’t just keep girls in school; they enable girls to thrive.
What’s more, when boys learn to understand and respect this biological reality, it helps create a more empathetic classroom and, in turn, a more inclusive society.
This movement is not just about hygiene. It’s about dignity. It’s just about giving kids the language so they can speak about their body without shame. And it is to make sure that every child, no matter their gender, feels seen, supported, safe.
The gains are heartening but more work remains. Schools need to keep pushing the boundaries – bringing in young trainers, weaving menstrual health into their science and civics curriculums, and using storytelling, art and digital tools to awaken curiosity and foster conversation.
Ultimately, these efforts sow the seeds for a generation of more informed, empathetic individuals – teenagers who become adults with the courage to disrupt stigma or demand health equity.
The pivot toward teaching menstrual health in schools as a shared, inclusive experience is not just an investment in girls; it’s an investment in communities. And it starts with one small step: education that mirrors actual life.
There are many schools in the region that are doing well, but then there are schools like Gitanjali International School, Ludhiana, which are an epitome of a progressive and holistic system. Ranked among the best CBSE schools in Ludhiana, Gitanjali not only provides academic education, but also impart life skills and knowledge of emotional quotient so as to produce responsible citizens of the nation and make them capable of carving out a world for themselves.
Are we prepared to take that journey together – as educators, as parents, as allies? Ludhiana’s schools certainly are.
For more information, please contact us. Our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. We look forward to welcoming your child to Gitanjali International School.
Gitanjali International School is among the list of best schools in Ludhiana. We are committed to providing quality education. Our world-class infrastructure and expert faculty ensure your child’s success. Join GIS, one of the leading CBSE affiliated schools in Ludhiana, and give your child the best education.
GIS stands tall in the list of schools in Ludhiana. We are proud to be recognized as Ludhiana’s best school. Choose GIS for a bright and successful future for your child. Visit us today and experience the difference.
