A parent has blasted a school for the "level of surveillance" of pupils using toilets that allegedly includes teachers waiting outside and marking down when they enter and leave.
The person, who asked not to be named, said they were "appalled" at the intrusion into the children's personal lives at Olchfa School in Swansea.
The school has said the measures had been introduced to ensure the toilets were safe spaces for all students to use and were "temporary measures".
It stated that the rules were aimed at stopping a "small number" of students from abusing the recently renovated toilet facilities, and did not include inappropriate levels of scrutiny or supervision.
The parent claimed: "Starting [last week], teachers have been positioned outside the toilet facilities. Students are now required to provide their name to the teacher, who then checks it on the school's computer system before granting access to the toilet.
"Not only that, but the teacher also dictates which stall the student should use and checks the stall before and after the student goes in. I believe it is a blatant violation of their right to privacy and dignity.
"The school's administration seem to have forgotten that these young individuals are entitled to basic human rights and deserve respect. This type of policy cannot be allowed to continue, as I believe it sets a dangerous precedent for other educational institutions to follow," they told WalesOnline.
The parent also alleged that doors to individual cubicles had been removed although that has been confirmed as not being the case.
In fact, doors to the toilet area have been removed but not to the individual cubicles.
The school has now responded to concerns over teachers' alleged monitoring of students using the loo.
A spokesperson for Olchfa School told WalesOnline: "Pupils at our school have welcomed a recent £150,000 investment in upgrading toilet facilities. Pupils were consulted on and helped in the design of facilities which give complete privacy to those using cubicles and ensure they are safe, clean spaces.
"Unfortunately, a small number of people have chosen to abuse the toilet facilities and the school has had to take short-term steps to prevent further abuse from taking place. These temporary measures do not include inappropriate levels of scrutiny or supervision and are designed solely to ensure the toilets are safe spaces for pupils to use."
In addition, in an Easter newsletter to parents, headteacher Hugh Davies wrote: "We have carried out a major and expensive refurbishment of toilets at the school. I am disappointed to report that a minority of pupils have caused significant damage to these facilities and spoilt them for the majority.
"I have put in place staff supervision at the toilets throughout the day. This will remain in place until we are satisfied that the toilets are being used as intended. If damage is proved to be caused by an individual pupil, parents/carers will be billed for the whole cost of the repair."
Other parents have also jumped to the school's defence over its toilet policy.
Samantha Jones told WalesOnline: "When I was in high school in the 90s a dinner lady was in the toilets every lunch time and they would check cubicles after us. Some girls smoked in there so they had her there to make sure we didn't and to hurry us up as the queue was always huge. This is nothing new."
And Nicola Miles said: "I see nothing wrong here, they're not in the toilet with them. Just checking for damage afterwards. If they're only using the toilet and not destroying it they have nothing to worry about, parents of teenagers these days honestly."
The Mirror has contacted Olchfa School for comment.
