‘Protect our kids’: Parents start petition on unisex toilet school plans

Concerned parents have started a petition to halt the Department of Education’s plans to introduce unisex toilets in public schools.

According to reports, the proposal also includes plans to also abolish gender-specific pronouns in a bid to become more “inclusive” of transgender and non-binary students

The petition has close to 50 000 signatures.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROPOSES UNISEX TOILETS

Earlier this month, a document detailing the department of education’s guidelines for embracing inclusivity became a trending topic.

In it, were plans to move away from gender groupings and traditional pronouns like “he” and “she”. As previously reported by The South African, the document also proposes the following:

• Schools will soon be required to provide “genderless/ unisex toilets and changing rooms”
• Individual stalls, gendered bathroom signs, and more cubicles are touted as a solution.
• Teachers are to be told they must AVOID gender-segregating, by splitting classes, lines, or groups into “boys and girls”.
• The provision of gender-neutral uniforms must also be made available to all pupils who require them.
• “Dead-naming” will also be outlawed. That means a student identifying with a different gender CANNOT be called by their previous name.

PETITION GETS ALMOST 50 000 SIGNATURES

Following the controversial announcement, one concerned parent Rudayba Rasool started a petition “No to unisex toilets for schools in South Africa” on Change.org to halt the plans.

She shared in her motivation: “The Department of Education is proposing mixed-gender toilets. How do we protect our children who need to be safe at schools?

“Toilets are private and suggesting that girls and boys share toilets will bring about many social ills”

She added: “As a responsible parent I cannot condone or approve this. Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for all. Please sign my petition and vehemently object to this move”

Rasool shared in an update posted on Tuesday 15 November: “The response has been overwhelming. South Africans have come out in full support of this petition. WE DO NOT SUPPORT UNISEX BATHROOMS IN OUR SCHOOLS. 

She added: “To the Department of Education, we say the following: HEED OUR CALL, WE WILL NOT BE SWAYED – THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN ARE ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU WILL NOT VIOLATE OUR RIGHTS.

“We respect everyone but we say that each to his own and if there is a need for transgender toilets then have additional toilets built. But you will not endanger the lives of our children… if you are not equipped to ensure their safety we will take it further and call for your dismissal”.

You can sign the petition here.

WHAT PARENTS HAVE TO SAY

In the comment section of the petition, parents shared their strong opinions on why they opposed unisex toilets.

Here is what a few had to say:

Lamees Jacobs: “I strongly disagree with unisex bathrooms. Not because of transgender individuals but because of all the other sick people who will be able to share bathrooms with innocent victims”

Brian Ceylon: “I object to unisex bathrooms. It will cause more problems than solutions. This government should focus on more pressing issues such load shedding, corruption, unemployment, homelessness, and violent crime”

Roshan Sasman: “You cannot be serious! With all the gender-based violence in this country, you will be creating a breeding ground for more!”

Ayesha Gaffoor: “I disagree with this. South Africa is not ready for this! South Africans need to be educated on basic human respect. Adults cannot even handle this, where will our young children manage?”

Sheila Wiedemann: “Do NOT forget the DROS RAPE happened in a toilet. Please do not be stupid and introduce this rubbish. Our girls will never be safe in unisex toilets. You CANNOT ALLOW such rubbish”