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Free menstrual products to be available in Delta schools by end of year

Students attending Delta elementary and high schools will soon be able to get free menstrual products in washrooms. The Delta board of education this week got an update from staff that dispensing machines will be installed by the end of this year.
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Delta students will soon get free menstrual products.

Students attending Delta elementary and high schools will soon be able to get free menstrual products in washrooms.

The Delta board of education this week got an update from staff that dispensing machines will be installed by the end of this year.

Delta elementary schools with less than 450 students are getting one dispenser each, while those with more students will get two.  

Secondary schools will get between three and six dispensers depending on their enrollment. South Delta Secondary, Delta Secondary and Seaquam will get the maximum.

As per Ministry of Education requirements, at least one dispenser in every school must be available in a non-gender specific washroom.

The province, which is providing start-up funding, earlier this year announced public schools will be required to provide free menstrual products for students.

In issuing the order, Education Minister Rob Fleming said it’s time to normalize and equalize access to menstrual products in schools, helping to create a better learning environment for students.

“Students should never have to miss school, extracurricular, sports or social activities because they can’t afford or don’t have access to menstrual products,” said Fleming at the announcement, adding that current research indicates one in seven students has missed school due to their periods because they cannot afford products.