The debate over when and whether students should be allowed to leave the classroom for a bathroom break has been reignited by a teacher who shared her reasons for saying “no” to such requests. While some parents feel their children’s basic needs are being ignored, the teacher believes her approach is necessary for maintaining a productive learning environment. This conflict has sparked a heated discussion about balancing classroom management with the rights and well-being of students.
The teacher, who shared her views in a TikTok video during her lunch break, revealed that she often denies students permission to use the restroom during class. Her reasoning centers around avoiding disruptions and ensuring students don’t miss out on key instructions. In one example, she declined a student’s request to go to the bathroom because the child was in the middle of a paired reading activity. Leaving, she explained, would disrupt not only the student but also their reading partner.
In another instance, she refused to let a student leave during a math lesson because she was explaining a crucial task. The teacher emphasized that if the child left, she would have to repeat the instructions, causing further interruptions and delays for the rest of the class. These examples highlight her belief that allowing students to leave during class can be detrimental to the learning process.
While the teacher’s rationale might seem understandable from a classroom management perspective, parents are furious. Many argue that denying children the right to use the bathroom when needed can cause unnecessary stress, anxiety, and even accidents. After all, when a child needs to go, it becomes difficult for them to concentrate on the lesson, potentially leading to greater learning challenges.
One parent commented on the TikTok post, stating: “If you need the toilet, that’s all you will concentrate on… so the child won’t actually be taking in the information and it’s likely it will need repeating anyway.” This viewpoint suggests that allowing a quick bathroom break may actually improve the student’s focus and retention of information, as opposed to forcing them to sit in discomfort.
One of the teacher’s primary frustrations is that students often ask to use the restroom immediately after break times. She noted that this habit is common, but it interferes with the start of new lessons. Instead of allowing them to leave, she encourages the children to wait until key instructions are given or until a more appropriate time in the class.
However, parents have countered that young children may forget or be too busy playing during breaks to use the bathroom, and holding them to an inflexible schedule is unfair. Furthermore, the pressure of having to wait could increase anxiety in children, making it harder for them to ask for permission in the future.
Unsurprisingly, many parents were vocal in their opposition to the teacher’s strict bathroom policy. Some felt that it disregarded the basic needs of their children. One parent shared a troubling experience, writing: “My son had an accident at school yesterday because he was riddled in anxiety to even ask the teacher to go to the toilet out of genuine fear he will be told no.” This highlights a major concern among parents: the fear that such policies could lead to accidents or anxiety, damaging the child’s confidence and mental well-being.
@homelearninghaven If you want your child to receieve special treatment, mainstream state school probably isn’t the place to be sending them 😩 some parents really are setting their kids up for failure in real life with all this pampering and entitlement 🙄
♬ original sound – Home Learning Haven
Others pointed out that in higher education and the workplace, individuals aren’t required to ask permission to use the bathroom. “In university, you don’t even have to ask to go—you just go. Same with work. What are you even preparing them for?” one parent remarked. This raises a valid question about whether the teacher’s strict rules are helping or hindering students’ development of self-regulation and personal responsibility.
Despite the backlash, the teacher firmly defended her approach, stating that parents often misunderstand her intentions. She explained that her goal isn’t to deprive children of their rights, but rather to ensure the class runs smoothly and that students aren’t missing out on vital information.
In her video, she addressed the parents directly: “I think parents get defensive and seem to think that we just want to deprive your child of their human rights. It’s not that. We’re humans as well, and most teachers actually care about kids, and that’s why they’re in the job in the first place.” Her statement reveals her frustration with the perception that teachers are unnecessarily harsh when enforcing rules, suggesting that teachers care deeply about their students’ success and are trying to strike a balance between compassion and practicality.
The issue raises important questions about how schools should handle basic needs like bathroom breaks. On one hand, teachers have to maintain order and ensure students don’t misuse the opportunity to leave class as an excuse to skip out on lessons. On the other hand, denying students the right to use the bathroom can have serious consequences for their health and well-being. Finding a balance between these two needs is essential.
Some schools have begun to implement more flexible policies, allowing teachers to use their judgment while encouraging students to use the bathroom during designated times. This hybrid approach seeks to minimize disruptions while acknowledging that students have legitimate needs that must be respected.
At the core of this issue lies a delicate balance between maintaining classroom order and respecting the basic needs of students. While the teacher’s perspective focuses on minimizing disruptions and maximizing learning time, parents are rightly concerned about the impact these strict bathroom policies may have on their children’s physical comfort and emotional well-being.
Ultimately, schools, teachers, and parents must work together to find a solution that supports both effective learning and the personal needs of students. The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: a rigid approach to bathroom breaks may not be the best answer in today’s educational environment. By listening to both sides and fostering open dialogue, schools can create a more understanding and supportive atmosphere for students.
