Schoolchildren are reluctant to use badly maintained toilets where bullies may loiter, the cleaning industry says.
Schoolchildren are reluctant to use badly maintained toilets where bullies may loiter, the cleaning industry says.
The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has warned that children are unwilling to use unhygienic, badly equipped toilets.
The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has warned that children are unwilling to use unhygienic, badly equipped toilets.
Backing a campaign on the issue, it says too many school toilets are closed for part of the day, and others that boys and girls have to share.
Backing a campaign on the issue, it says too many school toilets are closed for part of the day, and others that boys and girls have to share.
"Children are just as entitled as adults to clean toilet facilities," said campaign chairman Steve Wright.
"Children are just as entitled as adults to clean toilet facilities," said campaign chairman Steve Wright.
"Clean, safe, equipped and accessible toilets are becoming high on children's wish lists - but many UK schools are failing to provide this," says Mr Wright.
"Clean, safe, equipped and accessible toilets are becoming high on children's wish lists - but many UK schools are failing to provide this," says Mr Wright.
Infections
Infections
He warned that poor hygiene could "lead to increased infections such as bacterial diarrhoea and hepatitis A".
He warned that poor hygiene could "lead to increased infections such as bacterial diarrhoea and hepatitis A".
The BCC is backing a drive to improve toilet facilities in schools, called Bog Standard.
The BCC is backing a drive to improve toilet facilities in schools, called Bog Standard.
Also backing the campaign is the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers - and organisation spokesman David Frogett called for an upgrade in school toilets in the same way that there had been improvements in school food.
Also backing the campaign is the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers - and organisation spokesman David Frogett called for an upgrade in school toilets in the same way that there had been improvements in school food.
"We have had school dinners revolutionised by Jamie Oliver, now it's about time the toilets were sorted out too. We propose that there's a minimum standard of two cleans a day," said Mr Frogett.
"We have had school dinners revolutionised by Jamie Oliver, now it's about time the toilets were sorted out too. We propose that there's a minimum standard of two cleans a day," said Mr Frogett.
Partnerships for Schools, the agency which is overseeing a major programme of rebuilding and renovating schools, accepts that there is a problem with children being reluctant to use toilets at school.
Partnerships for Schools, the agency which is overseeing a major programme of rebuilding and renovating schools, accepts that there is a problem with children being reluctant to use toilets at school.
Dehydrated
Dehydrated
"There is a very real issue around bullying in schools, with toilet blocks recognised as a hot spot for bullies to target those they choose to intimidate and threaten," says chief executive Tim Byles.
"There is a very real issue around bullying in schools, with toilet blocks recognised as a hot spot for bullies to target those they choose to intimidate and threaten," says chief executive Tim Byles.
"In a bid to avoid having to visit the toilet at school, many young people refuse to drink water, exposing them to the risk of becoming dehydrated or even developing bladder and bowel problems."
"In a bid to avoid having to visit the toilet at school, many young people refuse to drink water, exposing them to the risk of becoming dehydrated or even developing bladder and bowel problems."
But Mr Byles says that upgraded guidelines would mean that "cramped, dirty and vandalised toilets can become a thing of the past".
But Mr Byles says that upgraded guidelines would mean that "cramped, dirty and vandalised toilets can become a thing of the past".
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said that it was clearly unacceptable that children might be put off using toilets for fear of bullying.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said that it was clearly unacceptable that children might be put off using toilets for fear of bullying.
He said: "We expect teachers to take poor behaviour very seriously.
He said: "We expect teachers to take poor behaviour very seriously.
"School buildings and facilities have already improved immeasurably. But there is more to do.
"School buildings and facilities have already improved immeasurably. But there is more to do.
"We've given schools record capital investment over the next three years and theyâve now got clear design guidance, so schools can build high quality pupil toilets."
"We've given schools record capital investment over the next three years and theyâve now got clear design guidance, so schools can build high quality pupil toilets."
What are your experiences of school toilets? Is bullying in school toilets a concern for you or children you know? How serious a problem is poor hygiene in school toilets?
What are your experiences of school toilets? Is bullying in school toilets a concern for you or children you know? How serious a problem is poor hygiene in school toilets?
Here are some of the comments you have sent us:
Here are some of the comments you have sent us:
The amenities in my local grammar school are terrible. There's smoking, lack of toilet paper, lack of locks, lack of soap, lack of people who wash hands and a lack of people with successful aiming capabilities. And this is in a grammar school. I've been in other schools, and the situation is the same. It is awful. Something must be done!Lee Adama, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
The amenities in my local grammar school are terrible. There's smoking, lack of toilet paper, lack of locks, lack of soap, lack of people who wash hands and a lack of people with successful aiming capabilities. And this is in a grammar school. I've been in other schools, and the situation is the same. It is awful. Something must be done!Lee Adama, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
I recently went back to my old senior school to do an aerobics class. The loos were disgusting and there wasn't even a single working tap for washing your hands which is disgusting. I would be furious if my kids were at this school and they couldn't even wash their hands after going to the loo. Penny, Cambs
I recently went back to my old senior school to do an aerobics class. The loos were disgusting and there wasn't even a single working tap for washing your hands which is disgusting. I would be furious if my kids were at this school and they couldn't even wash their hands after going to the loo. Penny, Cambs
Back in the 1960's the toilets were often targets for would be bullies and as a prefect most of my lunchtime break patroling the female toilet block, which in those days, was outside. We didn't have the drugs problem we have today, but smoking was rife as was the bullying. By bringing the toilets inside the school setting just means the bullies prey on their victims inside.Hazel, Erith, Kent
Back in the 1960's the toilets were often targets for would be bullies and as a prefect most of my lunchtime break patroling the female toilet block, which in those days, was outside. We didn't have the drugs problem we have today, but smoking was rife as was the bullying. By bringing the toilets inside the school setting just means the bullies prey on their victims inside.Hazel, Erith, Kent
My children go to a primary school in Radcliffe, Manchester and both of them complain that the toilets smell and are dirty. My eldest is in year 6 (age 11) and tell me that other pupils can see you because the doors are so small. They also complain that the toilet paper is too hard.Annon, Radcliffe, Manchester
My children go to a primary school in Radcliffe, Manchester and both of them complain that the toilets smell and are dirty. My eldest is in year 6 (age 11) and tell me that other pupils can see you because the doors are so small. They also complain that the toilet paper is too hard.Annon, Radcliffe, Manchester
Why not have a lockable loo - key from teacher, returned after use. With a 'panic button' in case of bullies?Kate, Kingston Upon Thames
In my old secondary school (2003) the female toilets were locked to stop a minority of pupils smoking in them. Teachers held the keys, but were often nowhere to be found. The result was no sanitary facilities throughout the entire school day, with the obvious implications for GU hygiene and health. Some friends would truant from school during the lunch hour just to go home to use the toilet. And this was a good school in a rural northwest middle-class area. But still the basic sanitary needs of the many were neglected to make it easier for the school to police the behaviour of rule-breaking few.Anon., Pennines, UK
The toilets are that bad in our local school that my son of 8 years refused to go due to the state of these toilets. He now has problems with constipation due to not going when needed, he is even under the local hospital due to the state of these toilets.Antony, Pembrey, South Wales
I have complained twice to my son's school about the lack of soap in the toilets and have yet to hear anything back. My son won't use the toilet at school because he can't get his hands clean - it's terrible, especially as they are now complaining about his attendence as he keeps falling ill!Lisa Preece, Worcester, England
Perhaps individual toilets straight off a corridor, rather than blocks with their scope for lurking bullies, would be a better idea where feasible? In my daughter's school a single loo for adults straight off a corridor works very nicely, but the children's loo banks just round the corner are grim. Maybe an alternative is no main door on the block so that the cubicles (with doors) are visible from the corridor. Not very pretty, but it would make it much harder to hide any anti-social activities, whatever they might be!Mrs H D, Herefordshire, UK
My children will not use the toilets at their school as 1. They are unclean. 2. Most of the cubicle doors do not lock. 3. They are locked most of the time.Mrs D Strathern, Wellingborough, Northants
I was bullied at school and the toilets were a place of refuge! I had to be forced out of them by dinner ladies on more than one occasion. For every school where the bullies hide in the loos, there'll be one where the loos are a haven from the bullies who stalk the corridors or the playground. It's much more likely kids avoid the school toilets because they're unpleasant places, not because of bullies. Others might avoid drinking water to avoid the embarassment of having to ask to go to the loo during class, something that teachers often ridicule older kids for doing.Em, Edinburgh
