Stay-in-class instruction over Palestine student strike

Victorian schools will be instructed not to turn a blind eye to students walking out of classrooms for a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne.

Organisers of a school strike for Palestine are encouraging students to knock off early on Thursday and head to Flinders Street Station.

An open letter to Premier Jacinta Allan and her deputy,  Education Minister Ben Carroll, which has attracted more than 6000 signatures, has called on the pair to take a forceful stance against the protest.

"While the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our democratic society, the involvement of school children in the rally is unacceptable and should be called out as such in clear terms," it said.

"Although the government has communicated its expectation that students attend school in preference to the rally, the messaging to date has been confusing and made more so by media reporting."

The letter's unnamed author, who described themselves as a concerned community member, raised concerns about how the rally would affect Jewish students and accused organisers of targeting and exploiting school children.

"Most students in Victorian schools will not have a direct connection or a comprehensive (if any) understanding of the attacks on Israel and war in Gaza," the letter read.

In response, Ms Allan reiterated Thursday was a school day and she expected students to remain in class.

That advice will be formally communicated to schools by Victoria's education department on Tuesday, she said.

All students in Victorian government schools are taught about the Holocaust as part of the state's World War II history curriculum.

"If you're wanting to understand the world that we are living in and some of the turmoil that we are seeing in the world, then school is the best place to get that learning and understanding," the premier said.

Ms Allan, a mother of two, noted students can be away for a range of reasons each day but schools are quick to follow up with parents when they are absent without leave.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson wants the government to support schools to communicate to parents and students why the strike is divisive and the political ramifications around it.

"What this strike actually puts in front of us is potential disunity on the streets, potential disunity in the classroom and pitting students against each other," she said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store