By Gregory Ng and Ong Tsz Xiang
To our Y1 Juniors,
Navigating the school to find a decent toilet can be daunting, as RI’s toilets have certainly seen better days. Washrooms with faulty locks, grimy floors, and broken flushes are a common sight. This guide aims to ease your journey by highlighting the top five restrooms in RI!
Criteria
Just like any task, a good investigative piece requires clear rubrics to ensure fairness. Knowing these issues, the following criteria were used to “grade” each toilet.
Cleanliness:
A good toilet must be clean, with
- Minimal or no water on the floor
- Few stains, or none at all
- Minimal or no odour
Facilities
A good toilet must have:
- Flushing toilets
- Working locks
- Bright lighting
With these criteria, let us begin.
#5: Single Occupancy Restrooms
For our fellow Y4s and Y3 juniors, these toilets are noticeably better than the others found in the Raja Block. For our Y1s and Y2s, there is also one in the canteen, as well as the Yusof Ishak Block, simply identifiable by the sign “Single occupancy restroom”. These toilets are spacious and wide enough for students to change in peace.
A Single Occupancy Restroom located in the canteen
One other Single Occupancy Restroom is located next to the Literature Room, home of RPUBs. A third one can also be found outside the back of the gym and PE office.
Cleanliness: ★★★☆☆
These toilets mostly don’t have any noticeable odour to them. There are also very few stains – save for a few on the floor. Unfortunately, some of these restrooms have large puddles, resulting in a slightly lower rating of three stars.
Overall, the standard of cleanliness is definitely much better than some of the regular stalls that most students use.
Facilities: ★★★★☆
The locks and flushes in the toilets we’ve visited all worked. Some additional boons include:
- A ceiling fan to cool down after PE
- A large hook to hang plastic bags
- An automatic hand dryer
However, do note that some toilets we visited had faulty lights, and some of the locks were stiff and rusty. If you notice any defects, please report them to the Estates Department!
Overall: ★★★☆☆
#4: Yusof Ishak Block toilet (LEVEL 1)
A stone’s throw away from the Marshall block, Y1s will definitely benefit from this toilet. Situated opposite RAM, the washroom is directly below – yet worlds apart from – the notoriously stench-filled level 2 toilet. Conveniently located along the corridor that connects the Marshall Block to the canteen, it definitely is the perfect place for the Y1s to change back into uniform after PE.
Picture of the toilet, water cooler and RAM in the background
Cleanliness: ★★★☆☆
There are few to no stains on the toilet floor, and the toilet is regularly kept clean and clear of water puddles. However, there is a caveat – you may occasionally experience the unpleasant stench of urine while using this toilet.
Facilities: ★★★★☆
Reopened in 2023, this toilet is in a relatively good condition, with working shopping-mall style locks and shiny new sinks. The lighting is bright and the toilet cubicles look rather new. Outside, a water cooler with icy-cold water can also be found!
P.S.: Had a bad day? Looking for some encouragement just before a test? Unique to this washroom are the motivational quotes displayed above the urinals. These definitely add a cozy feeling to the washroom, and can give you a much needed boost.
Overall: ★★★★☆
#3: Sheares Block Level 1 Toilet
Tucked away behind the staircase at the back of Sheares block, this toilet is a little-known gem of the school. If you are a Y2 student who brings along your uniform during breaktime, this toilet is perfect for changing before heading up the stairs to your classroom. Not only does it make for a quiet, peaceful changing spot, it is also much cleaner and fancier than most of the toilets located on the upper floors.
The Sheares block toilet in its splendour.
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Cleanliness: ★★★★☆
Due to the surprisingly low foot traffic, the toilet urinals, seats, and sinks all look to be in pristine condition. Additionally, there are almost no odours and puddles of water, with janitors making an effort to clean the toilet every morning.
Facilities: ★★★★☆
The restroom is fitted with wooden and marble furnishing and boasts spacious cubicles, which add a luxurious and comfortable feel. The toilet seats and locks have recently been replaced, too. For those who wish to freshen up after your PE lesson, there is even a spacious shower stall!
Overall: ★★★★☆
#2: The HML Toilet
Did you know that there is a toilet in the Hullett Memorial Library that has air-conditioning?
To access this toilet, turn right after descending the steps leading to the HML. You’ll then have to traverse a long corridor before eventually reaching your destination. Despite being slightly out of the way, the toilet’s comfort and cleanliness definitely make up for the extra distance.
Interior of the HML Toilet
Cleanliness: ★★★★☆
Despite a couple of puddles on the ground, the toilet is still rather clean. There are few-to-no stains on both the ground and the sink. Overall, the washroom is one of the cleanest in the school.
Facilities: ★★★★★
Boasting three urinals and two cubicles, this washroom is smaller than most in the school. On the flip side, its stalls are among the most spacious, providing ample room to hang your clothes and change. The doors are full-length and come equipped with high-quality locks, too!
Overall: ★★★★★
#1 Raja Block Level 1 Toilet
Situated opposite the Raja Block lift, this toilet has recently been renovated by the school! From refreshed tiling to new soap dispensers; from pristine toilet bowls and urinals to new partitions, this toilet almost makes you believe that you are standing in the washroom of a hotel!
A look inside the new washroom
Cleanliness: ★★★★★
With completely dry floors and minimal stains, this toilet stands out among its counterparts in Raja Block. Apart from shiny new mirrors, the toilet seats and urinals are in mint condition too! There is also no noticeable stench; in fact, there is a whiff of fragrance floating around! Admittedly, the washroom is still brand new, so we can only wait and see how the toilet’s state remains after a while.
Facilities: ★★★★★
This toilet has a modern, sleek design with 3 urinals and 6 cubicles boasting wooden doors. All of the locks, doors and sinks are in mint condition, and there are even urinal dividers for added privacy. There is also an automated hand-dryer (not shown in the photograph), as well as a water cooler just outside the restroom. Adjacent to it is a newly-refurbished single occupancy restroom, which is also fitted with a new toilet seat, sink, and hand dryer.
Overall: ★★★★★
Conclusion
We all have our preferences for toilets and changing routines. Some of these toilets are conveniently located, others are somewhat out of the way. While some of us will change after chow-time, others do so before buying food. One thing, however, is certain. Let us spare a thought for the cleaners and janitors who work hard behind the scenes to maintain these toilets for our use. Otherwise, who knows to what extent the toilets might deteriorate?
