By Bryan Ling (17S06C), Andrew Hidajat (17S03I), Bill Puah (17S06B), and Kaushik Rangaraj (17S06P)
Additional reporting: Catherine Zou (17A01B)
Singapore. Within the international community, we are known for many things. Our high standards of living. Our competitive GDP per capita. Even our food. Something fewer people know about though (unless you’re a Y5 who paid attention during National Day celebrations), is our contributions to the world of toilets.
The World Toilet Organization was founded in 2001 by Jack Sim, a local businessman turned social advocate who founded the organization in an effort to increase sanitation development around the world and break taboos surrounding the crisis. Since its inception, it has helped develop Singapore’s first UN resolution, “Sanitation for All”, and in so doing saw 19th November to be adopted as an official UN day, World Toilet Day.
We’re lucky enough to have access to satisfactory sanitation in Singapore. But that doesn’t mean we can’t rate what we have.
Block A and C Toilets
Cleanliness: 4/5
Popularity: Medium
Ambience: 3/5
Spaciousness: 4/5
Water cooler: Yes
Overall rating: 3.6/5
In terms of cleanliness, this restroom hits all the right notes. The floors are always kept dry and clean, allowing you to put down your belongings when you’re changing.
While tiled walls usually give the impression of a filthy, outdated toilet, the fact that they remain sufficiently white suggests that they are well-maintained. Being strategically located near the “windy benches”, amphitheatre, bookshop and a staircase leading to the Block A classrooms, it is no surprise that the toilet is frequented by many students, including athletes and those seeking to avoid the overcrowded canteen toilet.
Thankfully, the toilet is spacious enough to accommodate the crowd. For those changing out after strenuous physical activity, a fan near the roomy entrance will help cool you down, and a fully functional water cooler is ready to satisfy anyone’s thirst, no queuing required.
Overall, this lavatory is perfect for changing clothes after PE or before CCA training.
The Spooky Toilets
Male toilet: Level 2, adjacent to LT2 entrance
Cleanliness: 2/5
Popularity: Low
Ambience: 3/5
Spaciousness: 4/5
Water cooler: No
Overall rating: 3.0/5
Detailed review:
Though the floors are dry and there are no visible stains anywhere, a strange smell still lingers in the air in these toilets. Underused and underutilized, gloomy is the best word to describe them. The water cooler is considerably distant, which probably further explains why this secluded toilet is rarely used, in addition to competition with the level 2 block A toilets.
A main draw for this toilet is its spaciousness – there is a sizeable free area in front of the sink, which when coupled with the low popularity of this washroom, becomes the perfect spot for changing privately and quietly.
If you appreciate the privacy and solitude, this may be the toilet for you – though some may find it too secluded and spooky for their liking.
Outside SFL
Male toilet: Level 4, near Shaw Foundation Library
Cleanliness: 4/5
Popularity: Low
Ambience: 5/5
Spaciousness: 3/5
Water cooler: Yes
Overall rating: 4/5
Detailed review:
The first and only choice for library going students, this toilet is still surprisingly relatively unfrequented, and the lone cubicle is more often than not available for use.
It even has a spray hose in each of its two cubicles, ensuring a hygienic and convenient business operation. If this doesn’t impress you, the spectacular view from the squatting toilet will. As you congratulate yourself for a job well done and prepare to evacuate the premises, reward yourself with captivating sights of the parade square and the canteen, filled with people who are unaware your secret hideaway.
Since squatting for 15 minutes will probably tire you out, celebrate your achievement of the day with a splash of cold, fresh water from the water cooler before resuming your activities.
PAC Toilet
Cleanliness: 4/5
Popularity: Medium
Ambience: 4/5
Spaciousness: 5/5
Accessibility: 3/5
Water cooler: Yes
Overall rating: 4/5
Being one of the most spacious toilets in the campus, the PAC toilet provides plenty of space to change before and after PE lessons. Its close proximity to the indoor basketball court, gryphon square, ISH, as well as stadium further increases its popularity among the sporting crowd.
The toilet is kept relatively clean, and each cubicle even has its own hose. However, its floors are often damp due to the showers right next to the cubicles.
Overall, a solid toilet.
ISH Toilet
Cleanliness: 2.5/5
Popularity: 1/5
Ambience: 2/5
Spaciousness: 2/5
Accessibility: 1/5
Water cooler: Yes
Overall rating: 2.5/5
The ISH toilet is best used when you are in urgent need during floorball or PE lessons in general at the ISH. It is not really accessible as it is situated within ISH, and is thus relatively far away from all the classroom blocks. Cleanliness is ordinary, as it is not particularly clean or dirty.
Perfect in a pinch, but not worth a special trip.
Gym Toilets
Cleanliness: 3/5
Popularity: High
Ambience: 3/5
Spaciousness: 5/5
Water Cooler: Yes
Overall rating: 3.8/5
Holding the impressive Rafflesian school record for ‘Most Cubicles’, this toilet is a rather pleasant place to shower and change, and is especially convenient considering its proximity to the gym and stadium. Despite the high number of consumers, the toilet is relatively well maintained. A water cooler impartially located between both genders is available for you to quench your thirst after working out or running some laps.
The toilet is also rather spacious, but being one of the more popular toilets in school it tends to be packed with people during peak hours around PE periods or mass assembly times. Damp floors are also a concern if the showers are in use, though this is a minor concern given the sheer floor area size.
A solid choice, with no real downsides to speak of apart from possibly being too popular.
MPH Toilets
Cleanliness: 2/5
Popularity: Low (High during assemblies)
Ambience: 2/5
Spaciousness: 1/5
Water Cooler: No
Toilet Pass: Yes
Overall Rating: 3/5
A small toilet which will suffice if you must. Hardly ever justifiable, considering the close proximity of the far superior gym toilet. A combination of the enclosed space and questionable ventilation leads to foul odours lingering for longer than average, so please employ courtesy flush etiquette.
Air conditioning from the hall seeps in during assembly periods. This, combined with its revolutionary toilet pass system, contributes to an atmosphere of exclusiveness and luxury. Hygiene issues over the toilet pass system, however, have led to speculation that it may soon be replaced with an advanced booking system in PNAC to reserve timing slots for toilet usage.
Raffles Press will be on a short hiatus during the promos/Preliminary Examinations period.
glhf
