Tampons, pads to be installed in NSW school bathrooms

After a successful pilot in 31 schools, the NSW government is installing pads and tampons in primary and high schools to break the taboo surrounding girls getting their periods.

A statewide program to put sanitary products in NSW school bathrooms is set to take the stigma and embarrassment out of menstruation for young girls.

After a successful pilot in 31 schools, the NSW government is installing pads and tampons in both primary and high schools.

Lidcombe Primary School principal Nicole Monk said the program has helped her students feel less embarrassed about getting their period.

“Before this, they would come up and ask (for sanitary items) and it was all really taboo and they were really ­embarrassed, so you can ­imagine handing something like that over the counter can be a bit embarrassing,” Ms Monk said.

“So this has made it a lot more comfortable for our students,” she said.

At Lidcombe Primary the dispenser is in the accessible toilets in the office block, a bathroom still open to students but not in the bathrooms used by the very young kids.

Ms Monk said the program allowed the school to talk openly with students about ­periods, but also provided support to students with financial hardship or anxiety.

“It’s helped because after Covid hit we had a couple of kids that didn’t want to come back to school because they got their period over lockdown,” she said.

“So by having this now it really encouraged them to come back to school and ­really helped their self-esteem.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she wants girls to feel comfortable about getting their period. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NCA NewsWire.

The government will shell out $30m for the program.

Ms Monk said when explaining the program to her Year 6 kids she included boys as well, using the initiative as a way to educate kids about menstruation.

The program should also stop girls missing school because of periods, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said.

“Getting your period should not be a barrier to education,” she said.

“I want our young women to feel ­comfortable in knowing they have access to free sanitary products.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the program would encourage schools to tackle stigma around menstruation.

“By openly discussing ­periods, endometriosis and reproductive health we are removing the taboo around women’s health issues,” Ms Taylor said.

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