Students bypass chance to learn
THERE is a lot of pressure placed on secondary school students as they reach the pointy end of their studies.
The demands of the VCE mean most students are prepared from a very early age for the exacting assessment tasks, classroom learning and exams that are so crucial to receiving that allimportant ATAR ranking that will determine their tertiary study placements.
For Year 11 students, in particular, this time of year is a mix of exams and preparation for the year to come so that they have a good understanding and, ultimately, a head start on the most important year of their academic life.
However, a group of about 50 local Year 11 students yesterday decided their crucial class time would be better spent protesting for sustainable climate change policy near federal MP Richard Marles’s office in Geelong’s CBD.
The gathering was part of a nationwide School Strike 4 Climate Action movement, where students are encouraged to lobby political leaders to act on climate change.
In the case of the local protest, their school, Kardinia International College, supported the action and ensured the protesters received parental permission. It is surprising to us that either party agreed.
Climate change is an issue that warrants investigation, especially in schools where our future leaders will need a good understanding to determine policy in the future. And it heartening to see young people so engaged — particularly during a state election campaign that at times failed to capture much of the public’s interest.
But there is no reason to allow children to skip class in order to take their opinions to the street — especially on an issue that is so complex that the actions of a few students could never come close to solving.
The school day of your average secondary student generally only runs for around 6½ hours, Monday to Friday. There is plenty of time after school or on weekends for students to choose to engage in political action, if they so desire.