Greens urge education bosses to accept youth climate strike

The Scottish Greens are urging education bosses across the country to confirm they will not punish youngsters for missing school to protest over the lack of progress on climate change.

Pupils from across the UK were due to strike on Friday as part of Youth Strikes 4 Climate, including youngsters from Forres, Fort William, Ullapool and Glasgow.

It follows the actions of more than 75,000 school students across Europe who have staged walk-outs from Sweden to Germany and the Netherlands.

The movement was started by Swedish student Greta Thunberg who went on strike from school in Sweden after a spate of heat waves and wildfires.

In an open letter urging education chiefs not to penalise children for protesting, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said: “I commend every young person in Scotland and across the world who is joining this growing movement and speaking out against this existential threat to their future.

“Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence is based on the idea that we support our young people to become responsible citizens.

“Every school student who takes action against the climate crisis on Friday is doing exactly that.

“They should know that they will not be punished for defending their own future. They have the Scottish Greens’ support and I hope they will have the support of their teachers and education authorities.”

He added: "We should be inspired by young people here in Scotland and around the globe taking action for our collective future.

"As education leaders, I urge you to show you understand the fight faced by this generation. Punitive action would be inappropriate and pointless when the future of our species' life support system is at stake.

“Such action would also send a harmful message that civic engagement is discouraged at a time where our survival will almost certainly depend on the mass mobilisation of people in every corner of the Earth.

“I trust that in the face of this crisis you will take appropriate actions to support these brave young people.”