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An Edmonton dad was enraged when he discovered his son’s teacher uses a token system to prevent students from using the toilet during class time.

“I just think it’s basic human rights. There should be no incentive for little kids to be told that they get a prize for holding their wee in,” said Martin Ford, a father of three.

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Ford’s oldest son, age 10, is in Grade 6 at Hazeldean school, where his teacher has adopted a “toilet token” system. At the beginning of the month, each student gets seven tokens. Each time they want to use the bathroom during class time, they hand in a token. At the end of the month, students who still have all seven tokens get a prize.

It’s a system other teachers may also use. One classroom resource website produces printable tokens for teachers.

Ford said he understands it is disruptive to class if many children ask to go to the bathroom. However, he said this approach stigmatizes children for answering nature’s call, and it’s simply unhealthy.