No toilet paper in school toilets is an offence

24 Jul, 2006 09:24 AM

To NEA
Contact/NEA/SINGOV@SINGOV                                                                        cc contact@moe.edu.sg
Subject RE : Bedok South Secondary School

To : Whom it may concern

I am bringing your attention to the lack of toilet paper in the Boys'
toilets of the above school.

The reason given by the principal is that some male students would mess up
the toilets by playing with the toilet paper. I think this is a common problem
in most public toilets & you can't make such excuses for not providing it. The
school is penalising the majority of the boys for the few mischievous boys.

On 19th July, my son rushed home from school to use the toilet. He had a
bad tummy ache. And this is the 5th time in 2 years that he had to do that. I
have tolerated this for more than 2 years & I think it is time to do something.

The school has done nothing to solve this problem. Instead of teaching the
students on the acts of vandalism, it is sad that the school has decided to
take the easy way out of not providing toilet paper.

I sent an email to the principal. My son was chided & asked to come up with
a soultion.

The principal claims that there is provision of toilet paper when it is
required. When I checked with some of my son's classmates, it was not made
known to the boys. They are expected to bring their own toilet rolls & they
can also buy tissue paper from the school bookshop.

A check with your website yields this info.


                  ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH ACT
                     (CHAPTER 95, SECTION 113)
    ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBLIC CLEANSING) REGULATIONS

Public toilet
16A. Every owner or occupier of a building shall ensure that the toilets
therein to which the public has access are at all times provided with
adequate toilet paper, soap or liquid detergent, litter bins, and clean
towels or hand dryers.

Penalty

30. Any person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

(a) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to a further
fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence
continues after conviction;

(b) for a second offence, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and to a further
fine not exceeding $200 for every day or part thereof during which the offence
continues after conviction;

and

(c) for a third or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and
to a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part thereof during which
the offence continues after conviction.

MOE being the owner of the school, shouldn't they be penalised?

This is a complaint & don't expect any solution from me. NEA will work with
MOE & the school to solve this problem for the boys of Bedok South Secondary
School.

I await your reply.


Yours sincerely,
Jayne Goh

********************** ooOoo **********************

RE : Bedok South Secondary School
(Ref: 2006/07/140191)

Dear Jayne Goh,

Thank you for your feedback. We have forwarded your email to the relevant
department for their response to you.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Fong Wai Kean
Customer Services Branch, MOE
for PERMANENT SECRETARY (EDUCATION)

******************* ooOoo ********************

Ref: CN672515304

Dear Ms Jayne,

Thank you for your feedback dated 24 Jul, 2006 09:24 AM.

Our officer from the South East Regional Office will look into
the matter and reply to you accordingly.

Please call me or email Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg if I can be
of further service.

Thank you for your time and concern.


Sincerely,

Abdul Muhaimin
Customer Service Officer
Tel: 1800-CALL NEA [1800-2255 632]
National Environment Agency Call Centre