School strike is a terrible idea

Adult opinion

We often hear from adults that a student strike is a "terrible idea", it is worth to note that such opinions are part of "hegemonic silencing".

When Dr Peter Gray expressed his support for the strike, he said that in the history of emancipation, the change comes when the voiceless and the oppressed muster courage to take on the fight.

Sifaan Zavahir added that a basic right of a child is "to be heard", and that a school strike is a form of expression in a fight for emancipation.

On the school strike poster, you will find other thinkers who believe that resistance is the right way. Otherwise, we would be on a slow march to cutting down 20% curriculum, while we bring up a generation of kids with certified mental health issues.

Arguments

Adult perception

Problem: Do you recall the 2019 teacher strike? How did the government play it? How did mass media play it?

Reply: It was easy to paint teachers as egoists who do not care about children. It is harder to paint children as lazy if they have the backing of Dr Peter Gray and other key people in education and in child rights.

Timing

Problem: The date is bad. Too close to high school exams (Matury) and 8th grade exams (E8).

Reply: We had an hour-long debate on the subject. Students largely agree that the Truant Day is optimum. Those who care more about their exams do not need to participate.

Play suicide calendar

Problem: September would be better to not to return to school. You could also make a happening that is what we learned during our free time. Compare it to last 2 semesters in school. What is remembered. How the mood was different. Play the suicide calendar.

Reply: We tested many possible dates:

• vacation time is the time of least interest in school. All messages lose their virality
• Nov 20 proposed by Richard Fransham is largely unknown in Poland
• peak suicide time is the time of least resolve and strength
• Mar 21 is associated with spring, optimism, and the traditional truant day