TEACHERS have urged Scotland’s councils not to punish pupils taking part in today’s climate strikes.
Thousands of youngsters across the country are expected to take to the streets as part of a worldwide day of action.
In Scotland, protests are planned in Aberdeen, Crieff, Dundee, Inverness, Fort William, St Andrews, Ullapool, Lochgilphead, Shetland, Stirling and Perth.
The country’s largest teachers’ union, the EIS, yesterday wrote to all 32 local authorities urging them to respect the right of pupils to take part in the strike.
In his letter to local authority bosses, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said the union was “not encouraging pupils/students to participate in anti-climate change strikes” but recognised “that many will do so”.
He added: “We believe that their right to do so should be respected and that participants should not be sanctioned or punished as a consequence.
“If we are to encourage our pupils to be confident individuals that effectively contribute to society on global themes including sustainability, we shouldn’t seek to punish them when they campaign for global sustainability.”
The National asked all 32 of Scotland’s councils if they would punish pupils who miss schools to take part in the strikes.
Of the authorities who responded to our question, none said they would penalise striking school kids.
Last month Edinburgh City Council said students in the capital’s schools would only be allowed to miss school once a year for the climate strikes.
Yesterday councillors there met with Sandy Boyd, one of the protest organisers.
Education convener councillor Ian Perry said: “We support the young people making their voices heard regarding climate change as it is one of the most important issues that’s facing the world. However, there needs to be a balance struck and if we allow pupils more than one absence, the issue is that they could be regularly missing school which affects their education.
“We have agreed pupils can take one authorised absence in the academic year for those who wish to take part in climate change protests as long as there is advance written parental consent. We are also encouraging schools to support pupils in any projects which help educate them in school about climate change.”
All others said the absences would be classed as authorised as long as schools were notified in advance.
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “Climate change is an important issue which is increasingly part of our young people’s educations.
“While we would not seek to prevent pupils from expressing their views, it is ultimately for parents and guardians to decide on whether to allow their children to be absent from school, and we would expect to be notified if a pupil will not be attending school for any reason. Absences will be recorded on our systems in the usual way.”
Shelagh McLean, head of education at Fife Council, said: “Our general position is that we want all children and young people to attend school on a regular basis.
“We do not have a policy relating specifically to climate change strikes.”
But, she added, “decisions about taking time out of school for specific events sit with parents and families. Parents may want to discuss related aspects of this issue with their child’s school”.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “No disciplinary action will be taken against pupils who attend the climate strike.”
The protests have been organised by Scottish Youth Climate Strike, a branch of the international Fridays For Future movement started by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
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