What can be lauded as a progressive step towards its Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, the Haryana government has decided to roll out 45 days of maternity leave benefits for married girl students in state universities and colleges.
From the upcoming academic session, the expecting mothers can avail maternity leaves up to 45 days continuously on a single stretch, however, only with prior permission of the chairperson of the department concerned.
DNA reported that one has to submit a valid medical certificate as pointed out by the Education Minister of Haryana, Ram Bilas Sharma.
Taking a cue from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, which implemented this proposal in January last year, the government now plans to extend it to all the colleges and universities in Haryana. According to DNA, this step will ensure that young women complete their education without any gap, even after getting married.
Here is how the policy works
According to a report in TOI, Ram Bilas Sharma added that one has to attend extra classes in order to make up for attendance requirement for specific courses.
Students have the luxury to drop one semester only if they manage to later meet the attendance criteria of that drop out semester following which they have to appear in the drop-out semester examination as per odd and even semester policy.
The students, however does not have to pay the readmission fee.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has also approved draft guidelines to this effect.
(Feature image source: Reuters)