There has been opposition to a proposal by South Africa’s department of basic education to instal gender-neutral or unisex restrooms in classrooms.
A group of worried residents started an online petition against the proposal; some claim it is pointless, while others say it will lead to social problems.
At the middle of November, the petition had amassed more than 60,000 signatures.
“Toilets are private and suggesting that girls and boys share toilets will bring about many social ills,” the petition read in part.
The concept was revealed in a departmental paper that was leaked and also included a suggestion to do away with gender-specific pronouns, according to the BBC Africa LIVE page.
Opposition parties have given the problem a political spin. The National Freedom Party (NFP), which claims there are more important issues for the government to focus on, however, claims that the action “would allow for education on gender diversity,” according to a representative of the Democratic Alliance, the largest opposition party and a party that is largely pro-white.
Before the idea is implemented, teachers and parents should be consulted, according to the National Professional Teachers Organization of South Africa (Naptosa), the BBC said.
