Students should be in school and learning, not protesting during school hours, Associate Education Minister, David Seymour said today in response to Friday’s planned school climate action strike.
“If students feel strongly about sending a message, they could have waited until Monday, when the end of term holidays begin and there is no school for two weeks,” said the Minister.
“It has become far too common to sacrifice valuable learning time for other causes,” he said.
The Minister said his expectation was that schools will treat students taking part in Friday’s protests as “explained but unjustified absences”.
“I appreciate that some students have passionate views and are anxious about their futures. To that effect I want to be clear, if they want to make real change in the world, they need to turn up to school and get a good education now.”
“I encourage students, parents, and educators to prioritise education. That is what this Government is doing, and it is what is required for New Zealand to have a better future.”
Protests, organised by School Strike 4 Climate, are expected to take place in Auckland, Otautahi, Poneke, Gisborne, Whanganui, Otago and New Plymouth.
