Pupils’ call for better school toilet access is ‘question of dignity’

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Young people in Caerphilly have called for better access to school toilets as a matter of “dignity” for pupils.

Caerphilly Youth Forum has made the matter its priority issue for the year, calling for school toilets to be “opened throughout the day in order to be able to use them freely and sensibly”.

Speaking to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s education committee, Youth Forum vice-chair Megan Roberts said young people “understand” why many schools restrict access to toilets during lessons, and acknowledged there were sometimes issues around safety, vandalism and skipping classes.

But the committee heard how some pupils resort to not drinking anything throughout the day to try and avoid needing the toilet.

There is also “no period dignity” for girls who cannot take bags into toilets, councillors were told.

While there are passes for pupils who are ill or have medical conditions, other pupils who need the toilet during lessons risk getting into trouble and receiving “negative behaviour points”.

Youth Forum chair Cian Lancaster said the organisation hopes to “raise awareness among decision-makers that this is an issue”.

Many members of the council committee commended the Youth Forum on its work, and Cllr Teresa Parry said access to toilets at school was “a question of dignity”.

She said she was “taken aback” to hear how some girls couldn’t take bags into toilets, and asked whether schools provided period products.

The committee heard this could vary between schools.

Cllr Parry said the issue is “something that has to be really looked into”.

Following the selection of toilet access as the Youth Forum’s priority issue, it will now work with councillors and officers “on a range of initiatives intended to have a positive impact” throughout the year.