Locked toilets

“Property damage at schools is getting out of hand”

Symbolic image(Bild: APA/Hans Putz)

Since Monday, the Klusemannstraße grammar school in Graz has locked all toilets during school hours - anyone who wants to use the sanitary facilities has to get the key from the school caretaker. The reason: damage to property costing 7000 euros! This is also a major issue at other schools.

The "Krone" article about the locked school toilets in Graz caused a lot of discussion. As the toilets were repeatedly blocked and damaged, the principal decided that they would only remain open during breaks.

While some refer to the right to sanitary facilities ("It is an elementary basic right to be able to relieve oneself unhindered in toilets. Children also have this right", writes "Raphael.jack"), others understand the school management: "If pupils can't behave, that's just the receipt", writes "Troodon".

At the school itself, there has so far only been one concerned parent who contacted the parents' association. "The person was critical of the exact procedure, but understood that something had to be done," says Gert Haubenhofer, head of the parents' association. "We see it the same way. We are very understanding, but we would have liked to have been involved in the question of how to deal with the damage to property." The next meeting of the school community committee will show whether the locked toilets will remain: "It is still unclear whether this will remain a permanent solution." 

The Klusemannstraße secondary school in Graz(Bild: Sepp Pail, Krone KREATIV)

Almost all schools are aware of incidents
One thing is certain: Property damage is not only a major issue at Klusemannstraße, but also at other schools. "Unfortunately, vandalism is becoming more and more prevalent," says Ilse Schmid, who is responsible for all compulsory schools as a regional parents' representative. "There are even incidents in elementary school."

Crimes at Styrian schools

2023:

• 784 reported crimes at Styrian schools/educational institutions
• 98 cases of damage to property
• three cases of serious damage to property (with damage over 5000 euros or to objects of religious/scientific/artistic value or a monument)

2022:

• 839 total offenses
• 136 criminal offenses against property
• Six cases of serious damage to property

Source: Federal Criminal Police Office

Why? Schmid herself has been looking for an answer to this question for a long time, she says. "I think that children can sometimes only feel their self-efficacy through this: I do something and it has an effect." Schmid doesn't know how to solve the problem. "It's very difficult. You have to ask yourself why so many children are out and about during lessons." She suggests: "Maybe you could leave just one toilet unlocked and keep a closer eye on who is using it."

Schools are left holding the bag
If it is not possible to find out who committed the crime, the consequences are difficult and no compensation can be claimed. The school then bears the costs from its own budget, according to the Education Directorate - which, as the example of Klusemannstrasse shows, can be very expensive.