School bans kids from going to toilet during lessons

A Northern Ireland school has banned children from going to the toilet during lessons after students did not adhere to COVID-19 rules.

A school has banned children from going to the toilet during lessons after students broke Covid-19 rules.

Ulidia Integrated College in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland sent a letter to parents informing them of new draconian bathroom rules.

Pupils will not be allowed to use the toilet during class time unless they show a medical card or exemption to teachers, The Sun has reported.

And during break and lunch times a one-in one-out policy will be in place, reports Belfast Live.

The school says that the rules have come into force because they have been dealing with issues – including students misusing the toilets – with an “increasing number of Year 11 pupils”.

But parents believe it’s an “unfair policy” and that the new rules are “wrong”.

One parent, Ciaran McCauley, told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra on Thursday: “My son is in Year 12 at the school and he came home on Friday last and was quite concerned because he had become aware of the email that had gone out to the parents of Year 11 students.

“It doesn’t affect my son directly but he was able to empathise with the issues that might be impacting the other students.

“He complained that the toilets were being locked and students and parents had been asked to supply notes.

“If the children needed to access toilets if they were on their period, they had to bring a note in, have it countersigned by a teacher and dated.

“I thought it was regressive and led to embarrassing situations for kids. Unfortunately we live in a society where periods still have a stigma attached to them and they’re still an embarrassment for many.”

Ulidia Integrated College in Co Antrium, Northern Ireland has instituted these rules to deal with issues such as students misusing the toilets during lessons. Picture: The Sun

In a statement, principal Michael Houston said: “As a rights respecting school, Ulidia Integrated College is in full support of the Period Dignity Project, which refers to the accessibility and availability of essential care needed to support a period in conjunction with the removal and breaking of stigma and taboo around periods.

“Education is a key factor in breaking the stigma surrounding periods and promoting respect, understanding and open discussions about what people may experience.

“Following repeated incidents of vandalism and breaches of COVID-19 safeguards in the toilets, many of which occurred during lesson times, some facilities had to be closed, replaced or repaired.

“We want to ensure that all pupils in the particular year group affected are always given access to clean and sanitary facilities during their period.”

He added that the rules are temporary and are only relevant for those in that year group.

He said: “In addition all single person all access toilets are open too all pupils all day every day without exception.”

The Sun has approached Ulidia Integrated College for comment.

The article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced with permission.