A parents at a Welsh school has expressed anger and concern at new rules surrounding pupils' trips to the loo during the school day - and labelled them a "gross invasion of students' privacy". The parent, who asked not to be named, said they were "appalled" at the "level of surveillance and intrusion" into students' personal lives at Olchfa School in Swansea.
But staff at the secondary school, the biggest in the city, said the new rules introduced were merely "temporary measures" 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 school said the measures had been introduced to ensure the toilets were safe spaces for all students to use. You can get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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The parent, who contacted WalesOnline, claimed: "A few months ago, the school administration made a decision to remove the doors to all toilets, converting every male toilet into a stall. While this was already a questionable decision that raised privacy concerns, the school has now taken their actions a step further, implementing a system that I believe is a gross invasion of students' privacy." It has since been confirmed that doors to individual cubicles have NOT been removed.
"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," they added. "This type of policy cannot be allowed to continue, as I believe it sets a dangerous precedent for other educational institutions to follow. The students of Olchfa School, as well as their parents and guardians, need to be informed about the full extent of this privacy invasion so they can take appropriate action," they claimed.
Whilst both the parent and the school have since clarified the situation with individual cubicle doors, some main doors have been removed to the general toilet area/toilet block.
The school has now responded to concerns over teachers' alleged monitoring of students using the loo. A spokesperson for Olchfa School explained: "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."
Details of the school's new toilet policy are not listed on the school's website. However, there is a brief comment on the school's Whole School Expectations document, which says: "Pupils should show respect and promote safety by.... Respecting the toilet facilities; use them and leave. Pupils should not be "hanging around" in toilets, even during wet break/lunch."
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."
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