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Council bosses insist they are also more cost-effective.

Unisex toilets are to be introduced at Glasgow primary schools in a move education chiefs hope will “help children confused about their gender”.

Council bosses in the city say the new facilities will also help tackle bullying and anti-social behaviour and are more cost-effective.

There will be no separate facilities for boys and girls in three new schools across the city in a move that has been questioned by parents.

The Evening Times reports it is the first time a new school has been designed to have one set of toilets for all pupils.

David McEwan, estate programme manager for education services, said: “Bullying is reduced, behaviour is improved, no graffiti, no soggy bombs on the ceilings.

“It also assists in the LGBT agenda because if we have children even in primary school who are confused about their gender and worry, ‘Do I go to the girl’s toilet or the boy’s toilet?’ – well, it doesn’t matter.”

Mr McEwan likens the new toilets to a row of disabled access toilets in that they will be fully enclosed but share a row of sinks.

He added: “It saves a lot of space. We try to make assets now that will really sweat. New schools cost £3000 a sq metre so we need to make sure we are getting absolute bang for our buck.”

Malcolm Balfour, SNP councillor for Drumchapel and Anniesland, said parents had approached him about their concerns regarding the toilets at Blairdardie.

He said: “Parents have raised serious concerns over the introduction of unisex toilets in the school. In Scandinavian countries they do this quite successfully but this is the first primary school in Glasgow.

“I can see that it teaches kids it doesn’t matter what their gender is. A girl who feels trapped in a boy’s body and a boy who feels trapped in a girl’s body might feel embarrassed to be going into the ‘wrong’ toilets.

“But girls mature more quickly than boys and they start to develop towards the end of primary school and they need their privacy. Parents feel they should have been consulted first.”

 

(Photo: Glasgow City Council)

 

 

 

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