Pupils revolt in the Netherlands

[An archist]

In Alkmaar (NL) pupils protested against the high number of lesson hours. The police where called to the school when the teachers couldn't get the pupils to leave the school.
Fire alarms were set off and some pupils threw trash cans and bottles.

dutch report: http://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/nieuws/stadstreek/alkmaar/article4281112.ece/Van_der_Meij_College_ontruimd_na_leerlingenopstand

Principal tries to adress pupils, but can't make himself audible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAsABUnnYT0&feature=related
cops come in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FjB_5XkIGE

[Pogue]

Awesome to see such youth militancy but shame about the crackdown.

[Wanted Man]

Interesting. This kind of thing can have its consequences. In November of 2007, high school students all over the country rose up and went on strike, not just about the amount of classes, but also the woeful state of education. It was a kind of militancy that wasn't seen in this country for a long time. Partly because of that, it was easily co-opted by government-serving "representative" students' unions, who decided not to call any more strikes and protests once they controlled the movement strongly enough. But it was an interesting sign of things to come.

[Pogue]

Interesting. This kind of thing can have its consequences. In November of 2007, high school students all over the country rose up and went on strike, not just about the amount of classes, but also the woeful state of education. It was a kind of militancy that wasn't seen in this country for a long time. Partly because of that, it was easily co-opted by government-serving "representative" students' unions, who decided not to call any more strikes and protests once they controlled the movement strongly enough. But it was an interesting sign of things to come.

You must understand this is inconceivable in the UK. Just wouldn't happen. I don't think we've ever had a high school strike. It'd be an amazing thing to see. We don't even have high school unions, and the unions at college level and up are not at all focused on genuine student issues beyond when the next party is. It'd be amazing to see a student strike here, truly amazing.

[AnarchyIsOrder]

Too bad about the crackdown. Here they're moaning about children disrespecting authority and saying that it's because of not using the cane enough. I can't really imagine anything similar happening here, since discipline and obedience seems to be very deeply ingrained with culture along with family values such as intolerance that the government loves so much.

[Woland]

We had a similiar thing here in Germany, but much more peaceful. The Abitur (the test before the graduation) was put to year 12 from year 13, and those who are now under or at year 8 will have to take it earlier. Of course, it also means that they have to have a lot more lessons, so its even more stressful than it is already. There were some demonstrations.

[ZeroNowhere]

Too bad about the crackdown. Here they're moaning about children disrespecting authority and saying that it's because of not using the cane enough. I can't really imagine anything similar happening here, since discipline and obedience seems to be very deeply ingrained with culture along with family values such as intolerance that the government loves so much.
Heh, I live in Singapore. :(
Though I haven't seen any cane debate here, I'm sure many people here would actually agree with that reasoning.

[Q]

Very interesting indeed. I hadn't seen anything on the news of it, typical.