School Installs Laundry Room So That Kids Can Wash Their Clothes

A school in the USA has taken the proactive but saddening step of installing washing machines for kids who are bullied because they aren't able to clean their clothes.

Some pupils from the West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, will now be able to take advantage of a school laundry room free of charge so that they can get their clothes cleaned.

They've had to take this step after a girl got into an altercation with school security staff because they wanted to check her bag.

Unbeknownst to them, she had been made homeless and didn't want the other students to know that she had dirty laundry in her bag.

This isn't just one case either, some kids have been bullied so badly for their dirty clothes that they've stayed away from school.

The school's principal Akbar Cook said that the problem isn't isolated to a handful of students, so they've decided to install the machines to give the kids their best shot at getting a good education.

He told CNN News: "These are kids, good kids who want to learn, that are missing three to five days a month because they were being bullied because they were dirty.

"I even changed the school uniform to darker colours, so they could go more days without cleaning them, but even with that, students were struggling to have them look clean enough to attend."

So, when the students return for the start of the next academic year this Autumn, there will be a brand new laundry room that students will be able to use, free of charge, for three hours a day.

In there will be five washing machines, five dryers, and a load of washing powder that has been kindly donated by people from around America.

Their headteacher hopes that having the room will mean that not only are the kids able to attend school and feel good about themselves whilst doing so, but it will also teach them about taking pride in their appearance and have a positive effect on their self-esteem as a result.

Principal Cook continued: "We are trying to teach them to navigate their pride.

"My kids are fighters - they just need good ways to fight for themselves, and then take pride in what they can do."

Here's hoping that the scheme is a success and that the kids get the education that they are entitled to.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: School, US News, Education

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a freelance journalist and LADbible contributor. He graduated from University of London with a BA in Philosophy before studying for a Masters in Journalism at the University of Salford. He has previously written for the M.E.N Group as well as working for several top professional sports clubs. Contact him on [email protected]

@TPWagwim