Campaign to make school toilets healthier and easier to use

December 27, 2011   Carers, disability, health

Continence charity launches campaign as survey finds quarter of pupils ‘avoid school loos’

 

27 December, 2011 | By TJ Browne

 

A quarter of pupils in England’s schools avoid using toilets, according to a new survey by a charity which today launches a campaign to get the government to introduce new regulations to make school toilets healthier and easier to use.

ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence), the UK charity that helps children with continence problems, has pointed out that the limited regulations that do exist don’t include vital things like supply of toilet paper or soap.

Netmums is backing ERIC’s campaign.

Lobbying letters will be sent to government ministers, and the charity is seeking a meeting with the Schools Minister to press its case.

The newly published surve, carried out by ERIC and Netmums in November, revealed:

  • a quarter of pupils said they avoid going to the toilet because they are dirty
  • 31% pupils said they had toilets with broken locks
  • 19% pupils avoid drinking so they don’t have to go to the toilet
  • 53% parents felt their child does not drink enough at school
  • 91% parents thoughts pupil toilets should be cleaned twice a day or more
  • 91% parents thought that cleanliness/condition of pupil toilets should be a priority for schools.

Jenny Perez, ERIC director said; “Schools should meet the needs of their pupils in this area. Smelly, dirty toilets and a lack of privacy are unacceptable. Adults don’t have to put up with these problems – so why should children? There is a strong link between poor toilet facilities and continence problems like wetting and soiling. These affect 1 in 12 children and young people, causing loss of self-esteem and bullying. For most, a cure can be found, but all treatments require access to proper water and toilet facilities.

“Poor toilets attract poor behavior and unpleasant school toilets, a lack of soap and toilet paper and other basics are a recipe for these young people’s continuing suffering. ERIC will be lobbying for these changes through our ‘Bog Standard’ campaign. By signing the online petition, people can help us to ensure school toilets improve for good.”

http://www.nursingtimes.net/home/clinical-specialisms

 

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