As a student  I have noticed Many schools  across the country have been limiting toilet used and putting extreme restrictions on student.  Across the country there has been shutters , metal bars and locks with keys , barriers and ' red passes ' for girls on thier periods which have to obvious intent to shame and embarrass girls. There are arguments for those who need them getting " toilet passes " but these have been proven extremely difficult to get with even endometriosis sufferers being refused acess to one of these passes . Putting such extreme restrictions have negative effects on all students but most importantly girls , who alredy suffer from period stigma and shame in school , accessing appropriate hygiene in  school is being made even more difficult.  And ofcourse there are arguments for  vaping and vandalism , however , I belive these would not be an issue if high-school students were treating thier age as the students doing this see this as an act of rebellion agaisnt the ridiculous rules and restrictions that are being put in place , none only to do with the toilets but across the whole education system.  I belive if students were spoken to , and respected in a suitable manner for thier age , there would be no need for these restrictions.  

During lessons some schools are only leaving one set of toilets open , which can cause all sorts of problems , such as missing  lesson time having to walk all the way across the school to use toilets  , but also as extremely negative and embarrassing effects on children that may suffer from conditions so as IBS , incontinence amd endometriosis.  Allowing easy acess to nearby toilets for all students, I belive would improve concentration and could also help improve the respect for teachers from pupils .

finally " red passes " and " period slips " which are being used across the country are nothing but a tool to shame and embarrass young girls , for an issue which is alredy stigmatised by society .  Girls aged 11+  shouldn't have to resort to embarrassment by trying  to obtain one of these passes or by being denied acess to the toilet.  The lack of understanding and education by male teachers on the issue is also appaling with girls being told things such as " just hold it in " . 

 

I hope by signing this petition snd reading this you can understand the negative impact these restrictions have on young people and how it is really just one small issue out of hundreds with country's education system that is being used purely as an attempt to show authority and demand conformity and respect for a system that does not respect the main aspect (the students)