CHILDREN at a Johnstone school walked out of class as they joined millions of youngsters around the world in climate change rallies. 

The youngsters at St Margaret’s Primary created banners, sang songs, and marched around the playground as they showed their support for the Global Climate Strike movement. 

The rallies have been inspired by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg whose exploits brought thousands of kids on to the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh on Friday. 

Primary five teacher Eileen McMahon organised the action with children from the school’s Pupil Voice group. 

She told The Gazette: “We watch Newsround every day with the children and Greta features prominently on there so they have all been inspired by her.

The Gazette:

“She has started this big movement and the children got really excited about it.

“We spoke to our Pupil Voice children and they were all really inspired and wanted to do something about it.

READ MORE: Campaigners slam Renfrewshire Council over ‘lack of support' for Global Climate Strike

“We were out from 1pm on Friday with banners we had all created on Thursday. 

“The kids also had triangles and tambourines and were doing their own chants. We are all so proud to see them support this.” 

Renfrewshire Council has come under pressure from activists after it emerged children had not been given permission to attend rallies during school hours. 

Any child who did so would have their absence marked “unauthorised” even if they had the permission of a parent or guardian. 

The Gazette: Climate change activist Greta Thunberg is leading the rallies Climate change activist Greta Thunberg is leading the rallies

It is understood, however, that a number of children skipped class from Johnstone High School to be at Glasgow’s march. 

Mrs McMahon continued: “We want to make the government aware that the children are taking the power back about their own future.

“They have a voice and it has to be heard.” 

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