A Kyoto high school student who failed physical education because she was pregnant has not been able to graduate alongside her classmates, it was learned Wednesday.
Officials at Suzaku High School in November urged the 18-year-old student to take a leave of absence when it was discovered that she was five months pregnant, according to the school.
However, they also told her at the time that she had failed physical education and could only graduate if she took extra classes that involved ball games and running.
It is possible to be exempted from the physical education requirement in cases of illness or injury, but the student was informed that pregnancy is not a valid exemption, the school said.
The student had wanted to graduate with her classmates, but took a leave of absence in January, the beginning of the third semester.
"We recommended to her to take the leave because we thought it would be difficult for her to juggle studying and child-rearing," said Mitsunori Ishida, 59, vice principal at Suzaku High School. "After this latest case, we will consider alternatives for pregnant students."