Anger at ‘neutral’school toilets

PARENTS have criticised education bosses after gender-neutral toilets were installed in two primary schools.

Carolside Primary School in Clarkston, and Braidbar Primary in Giffnock, both East Renfrewshire, had the unisex cubicles fitted over the summer holidays.

Parents claim they were not consulted by East Renfrewshire Council and have raised concerns about girls and boys being expected to use the same toilets.

David MacDonald, independent councillor for Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood, said a number of parents have contacted him. He added: ‘This has left some parents angry and upset, particularly parents of girls approaching and going through puberty who need private space to deal with menstruation.’

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said: ‘In line with guidance from the Scottish Government, replacement toilets will now provide individual cubicles for pupils to use, giving complete privacy, with shared hand-washing and drying facilities.

‘Due to the fully enclosed cubicles, access to the toilets will no longer require a main door which has benefits.

‘These include significantly reducing the likelihood of inappropriate behaviour in school toilets, increasing levels of privacy and creating safer spaces for children and young people to use.’