David Seymour Criticizes Student Climate Strike During School Hours

In response to the planned climate strike by students on Friday, September 27th, Associate Education Minister David Seymour emphasized the importance of education over activism during school hours. He expressed concern that students should be in school and learning rather than participating in protests that disrupt their education.

“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. It has become far too common to sacrifice valuable learning time for other causes,” Mr. Seymour remarked, highlighting the need to balance activism with academic responsibilities.

He criticized the previous government's stance that allowed for absences due to protests, stating, “This in my view is unacceptable. My expectation is that schools will treat students protesting today as explained but unjustified absences.”

Acknowledging the passion many students have regarding climate change and their futures, Seymour clarified that meaningful change requires a solid educational foundation. “If they want to make real change in the world, they need to turn up to school and get a good education now,” he asserted.

Mr Seymour pointed to concerning attendance rates in New Zealand, noting that they lag behind other countries. In 2023, regular attendance rates in New Zealand stood at only 47.1%, compared to 80.6% in England and 61.6% in Australia, highlighting a significant gap in student engagement.

To address these attendance issues, the Associate Minister announced the introduction of the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system, aimed at achieving the government's goal of 80% of students attending class 90% of the time by 2030. The STAR system will trigger appropriate and proportionate responses from schools and the Ministry of Education for students who reach a defined threshold of absences, ensuring that no child is left behind.

“I encourage students, parents, and educators to prioritize education. That is what this Government is doing, and it is what is required for New Zealand to have a better future,” Mr Seymour concluded, reiterating the need for a focus on educational attainment to secure a brighter future for the nation.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among educators, parents, and the community to foster an environment that encourages regular school attendance while still supporting students’ rights to express their views on pressing social issues. The discussion around the balance between activism and education continues, especially as students engage with critical global challenges like climate change.