Exeter High School's Layla Seen behind free sanitary products in Tasmanian public schools

Layla Seen, who is 14-years old, was annoyed to learn girls at her school, north of Launceston, were missing out on an education because they struggled to afford tampons and pads.

There were times her friends had to skip school because they started their period, but did not have access to period care products, she said.

"It is annoying me because it is not a luxury, it is a necessity - we need it," she said.

"You need to be able to have those items to come to school and learn."

Rather than accept the status quo, the Exeter High School student wrote to deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff asking that free tampons and pads be available in all Tasmanian schools. She said it was not an uncommon request given that other states like Victoria were already doing it.

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Her words were heard last night, when Premier Peter Gutwein announced female sanitary products will be freely available in all public schools by term three.

Layla said it was "really exciting" that a simple letter - an assignment for her Civics and Citizenship class - could bring about change for a lot of people.

"It is really cool and I feel like I can do anything," she said. Layla encouraged other people, who have a passion to stand up and do something about it.

"Write a letter, do something because you never know - you could make a change," she said.