Ruyuan County High School faces probe over strict bathroom policy

Ruyuan County High School in Guangdong province, China, is facing scrutiny following reports of a controversial policy that allegedly limits students to just one bathroom break per term during class or self-study periods.

The rule was reportedly detailed in a PowerPoint presentation during an internal management meeting in late August. According to the presentation, the single permitted break is intended for emergencies. If a student requests a second break, the school may require parents to attend a meeting for “joint education.” A third request could result in unspecified disciplinary action.

The policy also ties classroom discipline to teacher evaluations, suggesting that a teacher’s ability to manage student movement could impact their professional assessments and promotion opportunities. Local education authorities have launched an investigation into the matter following complaints. An unidentified school official initially described the reports as a “misunderstanding” before later calling them a “rumour.”