If a student sneezes in the middle of class, they don’t need to ask to run to the front of the room to grab a tissue. This is a basic, hygienic right. The same approach should be applied to students having to go to the bathroom during class. Asking a teacher or even worse, sacrificing class points, to use the restroom is unacceptable. Students should be able to go the bathroom when they want without having to ask the teacher if they are allowed.
On the first day of AP World Literature, Mrs. Froehlich went through the class syllabus and at the end she added, “If you need to go to the bathroom, don’t ask, just go.” She proceeded to explain how she expects high school students not to take advantage of this freedom and that if they really need to leave the room it must be for a good reason. “If kids abuse this power and leave class all the time,” she explained, “obviously they should not be enrolled in this course.”
Teachers hand out bathroom passes to try and reduce the flow of students leaving the room. Some even have policies where if unused, the pass can be turned in for extra credit at the end of the quarter. While this does reduce the amount of activity in the hallways during class, asking students to sacrifice personal comfort in exchange for another point on a test is unethical. Furthermore, what if a student athlete is hydrating for their game and needs to go to use the restroom during class? Should they be forced to sacrifice the extra point that their classmates are gaining just because they are preparing their body to represent Edina High School?
Teachers rightfully get frustrated when they are trying to teach and there is a constant flow of students leaving to use the restroom, but part of being a teacher is letting kids make mistakes. If a student abuses their power to use the bathroom, they will miss information or assignments that they will need to make up. Allotting this freedom to students forces them to test their personal control and maturity individuals.
Just like blowing your nose, being able to use the restroom when it is necessary is a personal right that should not be limited by teachers.
Arianna • Sep 14, 2022 at 11:42 pm
I completely agree with this… I am doing an editorial essay for English 11 and I chose this topic. Why are teachers allowed to tell students they aren’t allowed to use the restroom when it is a natural human function, just like hunger. If a teacher gets hungry during class, they often just take out their lunch and eat a snack, and teachers don’t hold it in, they usually go to the restroom whenever they have to. Personally, if I am told no by a teacher that I can’t use the restroom I’m not asking again, and I am just going to walk out of the classroom. It’s happened before, and everyone took my side because the teacher had no right telling me I’m not allowed to use the restroom.
Madison • Feb 26, 2020 at 8:48 pm
I disagree, teachers should know where you are at all times while you are in class with her/him. If an emergency like a fire happens, a school shooting, or a break in where students have to hide in the classrooms and they lock down the school. The teacher would need to make sure everyone is there and is in a safe place.
Lydia • Apr 18, 2022 at 11:21 am
This still doesn’t excuse the fact that scholars should learn to monitor themselves and remember the literal procedure learned by scholars what to do when your in the bathroom and a fire drill/etc. happened
Ms. Katie Russell • Oct 14, 2013 at 10:05 am
I feel responsible for my students, so mostly I want them to ask to go to the bathroom so I know where they are. It’s about communication, not about points.
Samantha Williams • Oct 5, 2016 at 8:00 am
What does responsibility have anything to do with asking a teacher to use the bathroom? Have a sign out sheet and have them sign it before they leave, no need to ask.
The • Jan 14, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Signout sheets are ALSO unethical,just let them go when they need to,and leave it at that.
dward • Oct 25, 2012 at 4:48 am
be responsible and mature enough to get this ‘business’ handled before class, so as not to disrupt the flow of teaching…….really quite simple………
LMM • Dec 11, 2015 at 11:00 am
But what if the students don’t have enough time to go from one class, to the restrooms, and to the next class? some teachers are strict enough to say you can’t come into the classroom after the bell. Others are more understanding, but still.
bladdergurl • Oct 4, 2012 at 6:34 pm
i hope teachers take all this into account, it’s so unjust that we’re not allowed to go when we have to go!!!