Public school students who ditch the classroom and attend a global climate strike in Dubbo's Victoria Park on Friday could face disciplinary action, the NSW Department of Education has confirmed.
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Hundreds of thousands of Australians are expected to take part in the School Strike 4 Climate event, which follows similar strikes in March.
Any student not in classes on a school day will be marked absent and unexplained absences may be subject to the schools disciplinary code.
- NSW Department of Education spokesperson.
In a bid to help the environment, strikers will call on the federal government to ban new coal, oil and gas developments, commit to 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030 and create new jobs for fossil-fuel industry workers and communities.
"While the NSW Department of Education understands some students are passionate about this topic, all students who are enrolled at school are expected to attend that school whenever instruction is provided," a NSW Department of Education spokesman said.
"Any student not in classes on a school day will be marked absent and unexplained absences may be subject to the school's disciplinary code.
"NSW public schools are neutral places for rational discourse and objective study."
The department's position differs from another major Dubbo educational institution.
Charles Sturt University has given students and staff the green light to strike.
"Charles Sturt has a long and proud history of dedication to meaningful action on climate change and sustainability," acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov said.
"No Charles Sturt student or staff member will be penalised by the university for attending [strikes], which are an admirably peaceful and powerful way of advocating for much-needed action to address climate change.
"Charles Sturt staff planning to take part will work with their supervisors to ensure services for students not attending the strikes will be uninterrupted."
The Dubbo strike will take place from 9am to 11am.
- Macquarie Anglican Grammar School, St Johns College and Dubbo Christian School were asked to comment on the strike and impacts on students but they did not respond by the deadline.
