- Cook Government extending access to free
period products to public primary schools
- Students will have access to free period
products across all public schools in Western Australia in Term 3, 2024
- Improving access to period products will
help keep students engaged in school
- Free period products already available at
more than 220 secondary schools and all WA TAFE colleges
The Cook Labor Government is extending provision of free period products
to WA public primary schools, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting
student health and wellbeing.
More than 570 public primary schools will be provided with free period
products in Term 3 this year as part of the extended program.
Period
products are a fundamental health necessity, but the cost and associated stigma
can mean students do not have access to the items they need while at school.
This
initiative will improve access to period products and is designed to help keep
students engaged in their learning.
All public
schools with primary students throughout the State will have access to period
products at no cost to the school or students.
Schools will
receive an initial supply of products during Term 3, 2024. As with the
secondary program that has already been rolled out to 220 public schools,
schools can order additional products via the online portal to ensure products
are always available for students.
Comments attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"It is important we
do everything we can to support students while they are at school.
"Following the success of this initiative in
public schools with students from Years 7 to 12, I'm pleased all public schools
with primary students will soon be able to access free period products.
"No student should
miss out on attending class or feel like they can't participate in school if
they do not have the products they need."
Comments
attributed to Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery:
"We know for some
students, periods can arrive before they're of high school age, that's why
we're expanding the program into public primary schools.
"The expansion of free period products into public
primary schools is important for promoting student health and wellbeing.
"We want all
students to be able to reach their full potential, and we want to ensure that
having your period is not a barrier for school participation."
