Some students in BC today participated in their own walkout to show their growing frustration with the dispute between the BCTF and the government.
A group of over 50 students gathered in front of Nanaimo District Secondary School. Many said they’re upset that teachers have been partially locked out by the government. They held up signs and cheered as passing driver honked enthusiastically.
Grade 10 student Jasper Parsley-Kehoe says the walkout was about reminding both sides that students aren’t happy about being stuck in the middle.
Parsley-Kehoe says only a portion of the students at NDSS took part in the walkout because others couldn’t afford to miss class, but those that did were representing the students who couldn’t participate.
Grade 9 student Mattias Del Monte says between the rotating strikes by teachers and the partial lockout imposed by the government, it’s the lockout that’s having the largest negative impact on students.
Del Monte says the two sides need to reach an agreement, and soon. Other students expressed concerns about the impact of the dispute on provincials and exams, not to mention prom and graduation. Some students on the Sunshine Coast are also participated in the walkout today.
