A heated debate has erupted over plans to build all-gender toilets at Camberwell Primary School in Melbourne, Australia, on 4 December, 2025. About 40 parents have expressed concerns about the proposed toilet block for students in grades two to four at the school.
They claim that it could put the safety and privacy of young girls at risk. As a result, the matter has now reached the stage of seeking state government intervention.
Project Plan
The school received about 9.7 million Australian dollars (around S$8.3 million) in the 2024-25 budget. With this money, renovation work on the main building and the new toilet block began in July. The school council decided that all toilets in the block would be all-gender. There would be no separate boys’ or girls’ toilets.
Parents’ Complaints
The loudest voice against the decision was raised by mother-of-two Christina Woods. She said that parents were never clearly informed that only all-gender toilets would be installed. There was no survey on the issue. She resigned from her position as president of the parents’ association and school council in protest.
Safety and Privacy
Woods and many parents are concerned about the safety and dignity of girls. They say it can be dangerous for young children to use the same toilet. While they are not opposed to all-gender toilets, they are also demanding separate toilets for boys and girls.
Student Voices
Amidst the controversy, students have also started to voice their opinions. Students from grades two to four have been collecting signatures on handwritten petitions. The survey found that most children want some single-gender toilets in the new building.
Social Media Reaction
The issue has also sparked a stir on social media. Some believe that such a decision in primary schools could create additional risks. Many have raised the issue of girls’ personal needs and privacy.
Others say that it is important to teach mutual respect and tolerance from an early age, and in that regard, all-gender toilets can play a positive role.
Authority’s Position
The school’s principal, Janet Gale, said the all-gender toilets are part of an inclusive and anti-discrimination policy. The Department of Education has also said that students have access to single-gender toilets. However, parents claim that those toilets are located at least 50 meters away in the senior block.
Watch the video here:
@dailymailau Camberwell Primary School, in Melbourne’s inner suburb of Camberwell, approved plans for the toilet block for students in grades two to four – or from the age of six. The school received $9.7 million in the 2024-2025 state budget to fund the upgrade to its main building and toilet block, with construction commencing in July. Up to 40 parents are opposed to the plans, with many claiming the gender-neutral toilet block poses a risk to the safety and privacy of the young girls at the school. #melbourne #parents #fyp #australia #school
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