Sanitary products free in all schools
Schools in Stirling will provide free sanitary products to all girls from October this year.
Backed by funding from Stirling Council and Scottish Government, the move will mean every pupil will have access to free sanitary products when they need them.
The launch follows successful pilot schemes at Stirling High, Bannockburn Primary and Bannockburn High, and were positively received by pupils.
Girls from the schools were able to access the service over weekends and holidays. The experiences and lessons from the pilot schools were shared with all schools in the area at a launch event at Stirling High school in August, which was also attended by councillors.
It was agreed the initiative would be extended to all schools in Stirling after the Scottish Government awarded the council further funding of £37,715 as part of a nationwide strategy.
Children and young people’s committee convenor Susan McGill said: “This important initiative will enable every girl in a Stirling school to access sanitary products when they need them, avoiding stigma, embarrassment or anxiety, and allowing them to maintain their dignity.
“There was very positive feedback from all the schools involved in the pilot and I would like to thank all the staff and pupils at the schools which participated, along with other council services and private partners, for their hard work in taking this innovative scheme forward quickly and effectively.”
Vice-convenor Margaret Brisley added: “Girls should be able to easily access these essential products in the schools, improving their health and wellbeing and allowing them to focus on learning.”
In February 2018, a paper was put to council on the subject of free access to sanitary products in school establishments, detailing the potential costs of supplying free products for one year. Stirling Council