Lucknow, Nov. 7 -- The state government has directed district education authorities to conduct surprise inspections of all government, aided and private schools to verify the availability of menstrual hygiene facilities, functional separate toilets for boys and girls, safe drinking water, sanitary napkins and arrangements for their environmentally safe disposal. This exercise, which aligns with Supreme Court directives in the Dr Jaya Thakur vs Union of India case, mandates the provision of functional toilets, safe drinking water and compostable, eco-friendly sanitary napkins. The director general of school education has instructed district inspectors (DIOS) and basic education officers (BSA) to ensure compliance across all levels, including primary, secondary and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV). The inspections will cover teacher training on menstrual hygiene management, separate and functional toilets for boys and girls, adequate water supply, soap and handwashing facilities, doors with latches and windows, and the availability of sanitary napkins through vending machines or designated nodal teachers. Schools will also have to maintain a menstrual hygiene management (MHM) corner stocked with sanitary pads, innerwear and uniforms, besides posters creating awareness about menstrual health. In a significant part of the directive, the state government has prescribed detailed technical specifications for constructing deep burial pits in schools for the safe disposal of used sanitary napkins. The prescribed specifications include a depth of 1.5 to two metres and dimensions of either 50 cm x 50 cm or 100 cm x 100 cm, depending on the number of students. The pits must be located at least 20-30 metres away from drinking water sources and have a minimum 10-metre separation from the groundwater table. Their upper portions must be secured with a galvanised iron mesh cover to prevent animals from accessing the waste. The inspection exercise will go beyond checking infrastructure. Authorities have been asked to collect confidential feedback from students through tailored questionnaires, ensuring that their identities remain protected. Their feedback and suggestions must form the primary basis for subsequent corrective action....