ERIC still campaign for minimum school toilet standards

School pupils are still getting a bum deal despite revisions made to the School Premises Regulations this summer.

If it happened in the work place, union reps and employees would be up in arms.

But there are no laws protecting children and their rights to a decent toilet in school buildings.

There are no laws stating that pupil’s toilets must be cleaned regularly, stocked with toilet paper, soap, have doors that lock and be maintained.

Staff toilets are protected by the Workplace Regulations and include clear minimum standards.

ERIC’s Bog Standard campaign is fighting for children’s toilets in schools to match those for teachers.

Spokesperson for ERIC’s Bog Standard campaign, Natasha Collins-Daniel said; “We have been campaigning for changes to this legislation for many years in order to improve pupils’ school toilets but unfortunately the revisions to the School Premises Regulations will actually make things worse!  The requirement for 1 toilet per 20 pupils has been made non-statutory and there are still no minimum standards for pupils’ facilities.

Previous surveys revealed that children didn’t drink at school to avoid going to the toilets.

“What does “suitable toilet and washing facilities” mean? Natasha continues.

“According to the pupils, parents and health professionals we hear from every day, it certainly isn’t the state of school toilets at the moment. Without clear minimum standards, this legislation will do nothing to improve things – it is so vague it is unenforceable. Parents and pupils will not have meaningful protection or be able to holds schools to account and schools will lack clear guidance on what to provide.”