A secondary school bans Year 11 pupils from going to the loo during lessons over Covid-19 breaches and vandalism.
Ulidia Integrated College in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, has defended its strict toilet policy where the loos operate as a one-in one-out policy at break and lunchtimes.
Requests to use the loo during class time will be refused unless the pupil shows a medical card or exemption to the teacher, parents were informed via email.
Furthermore, pupils who need to use the toilet outside the specified times during their period will need a note from their parents, which will then be dated and counter-signed by their form teacher, BelfastLive reports.
The school said it has been dealing with various issues amongst an "increasing number of Year 11 pupils", which included disrespecting staff, misuse of toilets, uniform breaches, Covid-19 breaches, and vandalism.
The school has said that from January 21 it was implementing a "zero-tolerance approach".
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 counter-signed by a teacher and dated."
Ciaran believes it's an "unfair policy" and "wrong".
He added: "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."
Ciaran initially thought the email was a rumour, but when he contacted the school they confirmed it.
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."
Mr Houston added that the measures are temporary and protective, only relevant for the pupils in a single year group who have to leave during lessons as facilities are freely available before school, at break and lunch time, end of day and between lessons as required.
He added: "In addition all single person all access toilets are open too all pupils all day every day without exception."
It comes two months after a Co Down grammar school was criticised for its toilet policy after it emerged there were just three toilets for 1,100 pupils.
The rules about going to the toilet imposed at Glenlola Collegiate School in Bangor were labelled “draconian”.
The Mirror Online has contacted the school for a comment.
