Want to go to the loo? Sorry, Quota Filled

This article on Asiaone reminded me of a past incident way back in my primary school time. To go to the loo, we will have to wait for the classmate who went earlier to come back before the next can go. Not your turn, how urgent you also cannot go. Don't know what happen to the boy that went before me which took him so long to come back that I almost pee in the class. Its not good to endure for so long, but with such rules in place, urgent also bo bian!

Want to visit the loo? Get a 'permit' first. This is a rule that a prestigious primary school in the east has set - only two students can go the toilet at any one time. And before they can head off to the washroom, a 'permit' from the teacher must be obtained. Disturbed by the school's ruling, a parent who identified herself as Mrs Qiu, expressed her displeasure to the paper.

The 41 year old told the Chinese daily she hoped the school would find a better solution with regards to the toilet situation. She also said that, according to the school rules, students who had obtained the passes must first hang them around their necks before visiting the washroom. Once the two permits have been issued, the rest would have to wait for their turn.

According to Mrs Qiu, the school was worried that students would use toilet visits as an excuse to get up to mischief when classes are in session. However, the 'quota' imposed has led to some unpleasant consequences, which was what Mrs Qiu's son experienced. Mrs Qiu revealed that her son, who is in Primary 1, had experienced a stomach upset late last month.

He wanted to clear his bowels during the day's final lesson, but because all the passes had been used, he decided to wait till his class was over. However, when class was over, he realised that the school bus was already waiting outside the school gates, so he decided to wait until he reached home. Unable to bear the pain, he ended up soiling his pants before stepping into his home.

The principal of the school in the east defended the ruling when interviewed by the newspaper. The purpose of the rule is to keep track of the number of students who leave the classroom, said the principal. She said students who have to visit the toilet urgently, even after the permits have been used up, would be allowed to.