UK Government Scolds Climate Change Protesting Pupils For Wasting Lesson Time - Reports

The UK prime minister's office has criticized schoolchildren who took to the streets nationwide on Friday to protest climate inaction for wasting lesson time, local media reported

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th February, 2019) The UK prime minister's office has criticized schoolchildren who took to the streets nationwide on Friday to protest climate inaction for wasting lesson time, local media reported.

Thousands of students walked out of classes in 60 towns and cities across the country, according to the Sky news channel, which cited Youth Strike 4 Climate organizers.

"Everybody wants young people to be engaged in the issues that affect them most ... But it is important to emphasise that disruption increases teacher's workloads and wastes lesson time," the Downing Street spokesperson reportedly said.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) backed the government, warning in a statement that children should only be out of school in "exceptional circumstances."

"Whilst NAHT supports the right of young people to express themselves, first and foremost, pupils should be in school during term time," it said.

But UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn backed the youths, saying students were right to feel let down by the generation before them.

The protest was inspired by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who demonstrates every Friday outside Sweden's parliament. Similar rallies took place in Australia last November.