In high school, students must scan the QR code before leaving class to go to the toilet

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KCAL/KCBS) – A California high school has implemented hall passes in the past and instead required students to use a QR code to leave the classroom. Some students consider the new policy an invasion of privacy.

Jacob Green, a senior at Edison High School, says he doesn’t want to be told when or for how long he can use the restrooms on the Huntington Beach campus.

“My opinion on this whole bathroom scanning thing is absolutely unfair,” Green said. “I believe they want us to scan so they can track and see who the kids are going to the bathroom… and because they have a time limit they can see exactly how long they’re gone.”

Principal Daniel Morris told the Orange County Register it is not a strict policy, but rather guidelines for students who want to leave class to go to the restroom, nurse, library or wellness center. He says it’s something not all teachers have implemented.

Meanwhile, students complain that three bathroom breaks a day with a seven-minute time limit are not enough.

“I have to drink a lot of water. I just don’t think it’s fair, especially considering our time limit,” said student Ruby Meek.

Other students, like Alyssa Williams, oppose the guidelines because of the number of restrooms at the school.

“We only have three bathrooms at this school, so it’s a little strangely spread out. So it takes us at least half of our timer to go to the toilet,” she said.

There is an online petition that has collected more than 540 signatures as of Wednesday. The petition aims to replace the current bathroom policy with a ‘more compassionate and health-conscious approach’.

“I prefer my privacy. I mean, my time is my time. If I’m going to spend it in the bathroom where I need to be, then I’m going to do that,” said student Ky Slater.

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