<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper"><strong>Desperate times</strong></h2>

Angry crowds gather on the cold field. Alarms wail in the distance. Shouts ring out: "Give us our human rights!"

This is not an anti-governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. protest, or a demonstration about climate change or inequality. Instead, this scene took place at schools throughout Britain last week. Hundreds of pupils at secondary schools from Leeds to Cornwall protested against changes to rules around using the toilet and school uniform policy.

"Pupils chant against new uniform policy banning white socks," wrote one newspaper. One headline even claimed that teachers were on "riot alert" as news of the protests spread from school to school via TikTokA Chinese social media company featuring short videos with one billion monthly users. . 

For some this is a story about human rights. The UK recognises the right to sanitationAccess to clean water and waste disposal. as a key element of the right to an adequateGood enough. standard of living. For others it is about health. Limiting access to the toilet can, in some cases, lead to children avoiding drinking. 

But staff at one school have responded, saying that the changes were made "to keep all students safe during times when members of staff are not on duty". Others have warned that allowing pupils unlimited access to the toilets leads to disruption of lessons, puts pupils at risk of bullying and leaves the facilities at risk of vandalismDeliberately destroying someone else's property. .

And some schools have argued that the rules are about teaching young people discipline and the need to learn to follow rules and for self regulation.

Most people acknowledge - we cannot have communities without any rules. Like manners, they help us to live together in peace.

But when rules dehumanisethe psychological process of demonizing the enemy, making them seem less than human and hence not worthy of humane treatment, the response is often to rise up in anger. Ross Grear, a member of the Scottish parliamentAn assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. , argues: "If you can't treat young people like they're actually people, expect them to resist."

Yes: Rules exist to maintain order and stability as well as providing a sense of security. They promote fairness and justice and encourage people to learn personal responsibility.

No: Rules can limit individual freedom by dictating what people can and cannot do. In some cases they may be unjust or outdated leading to discriminationWhen people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age. .

Or... We do need rules. But rules are not always fair, and that is why they often change over time. Everyone has the right to make their opinions heard but the best way to do this is in a peaceful way.

Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.

TikTok - A Chinese social media company featuring short videos with one billion monthly users.

Sanitation - Access to clean water and waste disposal.

Adequate - Good enough.

Vandalism - Deliberately destroying someone else's property.

Dehumanise - the psychological process of demonizing the enemy, making them seem less than human and hence not worthy of humane treatment

parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.

Discrimination - When people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age.