New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday directed that a PIL highlighting the alleged lack of functional sanitation facilities for girls in government schools be placed before a bench that had earlier issued a landmark judgment recognising menstrual health as a component of the fundamental right to life and education.
Court to Revisit PIL on School Washrooms
A recent NITI Aayog report highlighted that over 98,000 schools in India lack functional washrooms for girls. In response, the counsel announced plans to review previous court directives before advancing the current Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The bench noted that a comprehensive judgment had already been issued by Justice J B Pardiwala on January 30, suggesting that the ongoing PIL should be evaluated by the same bench. ‘The issues raised in the present PIL are very important,’ the bench remarked, instructing that the case be scheduled for consideration by Justice Pardiwala’s bench.
Supreme Court Mandates Gender-Segregated Toilets in Schools
The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark ruling aimed at enhancing gender justice and educational equality. The court has mandated that all states and Union Territories (UTs) ensure every school—whether government-operated, aided, or privately managed—provides functional, gender-segregated toilets equipped with usable water connectivity.
Justice Pardiwala emphasized the importance of education for girls, stating, “A period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education,” referencing a quote from American educator Melissa Berton as he opened the judgment.
