A secondary school in Greater Manchester has ignited controversy by introducing a digital monitoring system that tracks and limits students' toilet breaks, leaving pupils feeling like they're "in a prison" rather than an educational institution.
The E-Pass System Explained
Elms Bank School in Bury has implemented what they call an "e-pass" system, requiring students to use a digital device to request permission for bathroom visits. The system reportedly tracks how long students spend in toilets and restricts the number of breaks they can take throughout the school day.
One frustrated student revealed: "We have to use a machine to get a pass to go to the toilet. It tracks how long we're in there and how many times we go. It feels like we're being treated like prisoners."
Growing Student and Parent Backlash
The policy has sparked significant anger among the school community, with many students expressing their discomfort with the constant monitoring. Parents have joined the outcry, questioning both the practical implications and potential health consequences of restricting natural bodily functions.
Concerns have been raised about students with medical conditions that require more frequent bathroom visits, as well as the psychological impact of such intensive surveillance on young people's wellbeing.
School's Defence and Ongoing Debate
While the school maintains the system helps manage movement around the building and ensures student safety, critics argue it represents an overreach of monitoring that compromises student dignity and privacy.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between school management needs and student welfare in an increasingly digital educational environment. As the debate continues, many are questioning where schools should draw the line between practical monitoring and excessive control.
