The Harmony School of Excellence claims it’ll do “whatever it takes to help our students reach their goals,” even at the cost of a student’s bodily functions. Texas 12-year-old Jaila Burchett learned this the hard way when a teacher refused her to use the bathroom during a transition period. Unable to hold her business, Burchett accidentally peed herself but was still forced to sit in class after the incident.
In between classes, Burchett attempted to use the restroom but was stopped by a hall monitor barring anyone from doing their business. “I walked back to class, and on my way there, I fell, and I peed on myself,” the Texas 12-year-old told ABC13 Houston in an interview. On top of that, the school staff reportedly still forced her to attend class with her jeans covered with pee. The girl texted her mom for help, informing her about the situation.
April Smith, Jaila Burchett’s mother, claims the school didn’t even bother calling her about the incident. She had to call them and even order new pants to have them sent to the front desk so Burchett could get a fresh pair to change into. Needless to say, Smith was furious: “It is just inhumane, so Jaila didn’t go to school on Monday. I let her decompress all weekend, and on Tuesday, I called the dean back to see what actions were taken.”
The Harmony School of Excellence staff claims that the 12-year-old student wasn’t blocked from the restroom but was instead told to get a bathroom pass and return. Regardless of who’s telling the truth, being forced “to go to class and sit in their wet pants is unacceptable,” protests April Smith. “I don’t think I would ever trust a school like that anymore,” Burchett says in agreement.
Commenters Agree That Using the Restroom Is a Student’s Right
Many commenting on the situation were just as upset as the mother. “Using the restroom is not a privilege; it’s a right. Parents need to start telling their children to get up, go to the restroom, and deal with any consequences later,” argues a commenter. “How could a teacher be that stupid to tell a student not to go to the bathroom during class? That makes no damn sense,” outcries another. “Poor child will be scarred for life. This is unacceptable,” bemoans a third.
Apparently, this situation of peeing oneself due to being denied to use the restroom in school isn’t unique to this 12-year-old Texas student. Multiple Redditors commenting on the news said they, too, had an experience when they were young, wetting their pants after being refused to use the toilet. “That happened to me in first grade,” the top commenter remarked, with several others sharing their unfortunate childhood story.
Whatever the case, it’s clear the issue of cruel teachers being excessively stringent on their students has been going on for years. Hopefully, April Smith and her daughter will receive justice for the school staff’s actions, and this incident will be a lesson for other schools to stop barring children from using the bathrooms, regardless of the rules.
