High School’s Controversial Bathroom Surveillance and Phone Ban Spark Outrage

Students at Green Bay High School in Auckland are expressing their outrage over new measures implemented to tackle vaping and phone use. One particular issue that has sparked controversy is the installation of glass doors on the student bathrooms. The see-through entrance door and the new window in the bathroom allow the main area to be visible from the outside. While photos on an Instagram page run by the students show cubicles without doors, the school has assured that doors will be installed before the renovations are complete. The school claims that the new design aims to discourage rule-breaking behavior, in compliance with Ministry of Education guidelines. However, students have taken to Instagram to voice their concerns, with one user describing it as resembling a prison cell. Additionally, the school is implementing vape detection alarms and installing cameras to monitor the communal and handwashing areas. The ban on phones in schools has also drawn criticism from students, who argue that it will further isolate and alienate those who rely on their phones as a source of relaxation and entertainment. They believe that these measures fail to address the underlying issues of students feeling overworked, unmotivated, anxious, and depressed. The students claim that the loss of privacy combined with the phone ban may exacerbate these problems. Despite the controversy, the school maintains that the new measures are necessary and in line with their goal of creating a safe and focused learning environment.