Gender-neutral bathrooms coming to Saskatchewan’s joint-use schools
Rights advocates in Saskatoon are praising the provincial government for its decision to include gender-neutral bathrooms in the province’s new joint-use schools.
Set to open in September 2017, the 18 joint-use schools are part of a $635 million public-private partnership (P3) aimed at addressing rapid growth in the province.
“It’s a sign of the times and it’s definitely progress that facilities are starting to match the students that actually embody these schools,” said Out Saskatoon education coordinator Amanda Guthrie.
“Transgender and gender-diverse students have always been attending school, but the facilities haven’t always been matching them (or) accommodating their needs.”
Guthrie noted the washrooms are important from a safety perspective, as gender-segregated bathrooms create spaces where bullying may occur. She said in some cases, students will avoid using the restroom or will travel to a nearby convenience store or walk home to use the facilities, causing stress and anxiety in the classroom.
“Having facilities that match the needs of students is going to make those schools a better learning environment for those students,” she said.
The gender-neutral bathrooms at the joint-use schools will be a single-use bathroom, equipped with a toilet and a sink. School divisions will be responsible for making designations of washroom facilities at their schools.
The Government of Saskatchewan has asked all divisions to ensure there are gender-neutral washrooms in all schools. Kevin Gabel, executive director of programs for the Ministry of Education, said it’s part of an effort to ensure all students are welcome.
“It’s all about learning. We take a student-first approach to education in the province,” he said. “If a student feels included, welcomed and supported, they’re going to focus on learning and be more successful.”
Gabel said gender-neutral bathrooms were planned “right from the beginning.” He said the ministry worked with all five school divisions involved in the P3 build on the design of the washrooms in the new joint-use schools.
He noted the province has not heard any concerns about the inclusion of the gender-neutral facilities.
“We have great school populations made up of students from diverse needs and diverse backgrounds in this province,” he said. “In some cases, these needs may be related to gender identification, while in others, it’s based on their cultural identity, religious beliefs or the need to have a private space.”
Connie Bailey, president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, said the SSBA would be behind any changes that make classrooms a more accommodating place.
“Any way that we can ensure the learning environments are safe and welcoming to all our students in our schools is a welcome addition,” she said.
The 18 joint-use schools are expected to accommodate up to 11,100 students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 in Regina, Saskatoon, Warman and Martensville.