I was reading New York Times magazine. There had been a recent article on student distractions and their affect on teachers. A letter to the editor about that described a teacher who had taught in a variety of schools. One school had far fewer discipline and bullying problems than the other ones. This school was designed so that each classroom had one or two washrooms (the article actually said two; how many are needed is a fair point). Students could go whenever, reportedly bullying and need for discipline much decreased.
If it is true, it seems a good idea. Given enormous amounts spent on education it seems an easy way to help address these problems. Sure, many schools were built a hundred years ago. But it’s not like it’s an impossible change to make. Teachers could more easily keep an eye on things, so it might reduce stress.
So what are the real benefits and downsides to this? Would it solve any problems? I’m asking theoretically. Of course this wouldn’t happen anytime soon or in many places at all.
I think it’s a good idea, but at least here in Toronto the schools are barely holding together as it is. My younger daughter is going into grade 10 and was telling me today about kids trying to hot box in the washrooms and she essentially couldn’t see through the vape fog in the girls bathroom.
The high school where our community choir rehearses has had the bathrooms modified — instead of being large communal spaces with x number of stalls and sinks, they removed the outer hallway door and instead installed doors to each stall, so each person has privacy, it eliminates the need for a gender designation, and (whether it was part of their focus at the time or not) it removed that space from locales in which bullying could take place. I approve.
I think it’s a great idea, there was a Tic Tok vid about students damaging and messing the bathrooms and it has been a trend, so many students are avoiding it more than before. If each classroom had it’s own washroom I think it would go much better as long as the bathroom noise doesn’t infiltrate the classroom, which seems more like a design issue.
I wasn’t bullied much at school, but it was a different time. I am unsure what type of school the article referred to. I agree that these problems are multifactorial and an anecdote proves little. But it’s not the worst idea I’ve heard. It merits a reasonable discussion IMHO. Maybe it solves no real problems, but maybe it does. Maybe the bigger problems are spatial, and not cost or plumbing.
Advantages to student: can easily go without delay or indignity; maybe slightly reduces bullying; maybe reduces exam cheating; in rougher schools no fear to go to washroom; might reduce smoking or drug use in schools
Advantages to teacher: easier to keep track; less interruptions in class; maybe reduces bullying during class times so there is a safe space; maybe reduces exam cheating; maybe reduces smoking or drug use; also convenient for teacher
@Thudlow_Boink is correct, filling up the entire washroom with vape and/or cannabis smoke. While both are legal in Canada, they are decidedly NOT allowed for minors or on school property.
This was part of the ideal school I used to fantasize about before falling asleep:two bathrooms opening off one side of the classroom, with some soundproofing and good fans. I mentioned this to my high school students one day, and they loved the idea.
We did in our public school kindergarten. After kindergarten though, you were left with the communal washrooms.
Thinking back to my own high school days, over forty years ago, a trip to the washroom meant that you were greeted by by a cloud of cigarette smoke. And if you were lucky—or unlucky, depending on your point of view—a game of craps.