Contributor: Ben O'Sullivan, Waitaki Boys' High School head boy, and Waitaki Youth Council member.

The youth voice is just as important as any other in our community, but is often drowned out or overlooked. Each month, the Waitaki App will provide a platform for a member of the Waitaki Youth Council to speak on the issues that are affecting them. This month Ben O'Sullivan, head boy at Waitaki Boys' High School, writes about the detrimental effect the secondary school teacher strikes are having on students.

Students are frustrated by this nightmare of a school year as teacher strikes continue to disrupt our education.

However, it is important to remember that both my peers and I are supportive of our teachers’ rights to a fair income and conditions. 

I have been blessed to have some amazing teachers over my school years and it is vital that these same kinds of teachers are encouraged to enter the profession in the future.

Nevertheless, from a student’s perspective, these strikes are just proving to be a massive distraction from our teaching and learning time. 

As a year 13 student, this is my fourth year of schooling disruptions following the on-going effects of the Covid pandemic.

While these generational issues have built a resilient cohort, our resilience is stretching to breaking point and our education is seriously suffering.

This issue is normalising truancy of our students. While our Government is currently spending millions to combat student absenteeism, would it not be prudent for the Government to first consider the two days off school students are having each week? 

As a head student in the Waitaki region, I see the direct effects of these strikes on students’ mindsets each day.

Unfortunately, a day off school is no longer considered unconventional, and is normalised. This relaxed attitude is only stoking the fire that is our country’s chronic issue with truancy.

Students are also coming under increasing pressure to complete the same workload with reduced teaching time. Students are stressed out and missing teaching time. 

I know some schools are delaying assessments, while others are cutting out parts of the curriculum. 

For some students, this could be the difference between passing and failing.

It is also worth considering the effect this is having on our students’ wellbeing. I see firsthand the increased levels of anxiety and decreases in performance as students worry about the impact of these strikes on their grades and prospects.

Student’s education should not suffer in the teachers’ action for a better package from the Government. 

We cannot continue to be used as a pawn in this ongoing dispute. It is becoming harder to be sympathetic when we are kept at home with no end in sight. 

The disruptions we have had to endure are staggering. Students’ wellbeing and grades are suffering, and we are creating a culture of truancy, which may take generations to undo. 

When will the government and PPTA realise that the education of this country’s children cannot be jeopardised any longer?