In just two weeks' time, students in more than forty different countries will protest government inaction on climate change. According to Meisch's newsletter, students are allowed to participate in the protests.
However, Meisch highlighted that this does not make the day a day off from school, and students hoping to join in must provide a written excuse. The minister justified his decision based on the noble goal of the protests organised by Youth for Climate. He explained that he wants to give students the opportunity to participate without being penalised.
Schools were also authorised to provide information meetings outside of school hours about the topics of the environment and climate change.
Students in a number of German cities will take to the streets again on Friday. The Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is joining protests in Hamburg. Currently, students throughout Germany, France, and Belgium are boycotting classes every Friday to call for politicians to do something.
