Perth Grammar School locked toilets: "A breach of human rights"

More than 2000 people have signed a petition calling for Perth Grammar School not to lock the school toilets during classtime.

The students who started the petition say it's a breach of their human rights and could even affect their school work.

But the council says the headteacher is just enforcing existing rules and they will work with pupils and parents to understand the policy.

The petition states: "As of last week, The headteacher decided that students would no longer be able to use the toilet facilities during class time and proceeded to lock all bathrooms to prevent us from using said facilities.

"The toilets were then promised to be unlocked at interval and lunch but so far this has failed to happen. The motive behind this idiocy seems sensible.

"The headteacher does not approve of the number of people being excused from class and fears people may ''hide'' in the bathrooms to prevent going to subjects they dislike and fair enough, this does happen.

"However, preventing us from one of our basic human rights is NOT the way to solve the problem.

"Let's explore the issues that restricting the toilets cause: We won't be able to concentrate. With restricted access to toilet facilities students will avoid keeping hydrated and therefore lose concentration and consequently fall behind in class.

"Same goes for those sitting with a full bladder, it effects our education. Straight forward biology."

Perth and Kinross Council maintain the new headteacher is just enforcing existing rules.

A spokeswoman for the Council said: "“There has been an ongoing issue with a large number of pupils asking to be excused from during class time.

"The Headteacher has taken steps to reinforce the schools existing policy that pupils should not be out during class time unless under exceptional circumstances.

"We will work with the school’s staff, pupils and parents to ensure that everyone understands the policy and how it is being implemented.”

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