An NZEI leader has defended a protest involving primary school children on the steps of parliament saying it wasn’t political.

Last week, Associate Education Minister David Seymour told chrislynchmedia.com it was inappropriate to use children for political purposes.

His comments followed a media statement released by NZEI, which said it was proud of the performance led by NZEI leader and school principal Robyn Brown and her students.

“How do primary school students and their families advocate for their teachers?” the statement began.

“For 75 students from Upper Hutt City’s Birchville School, it involves the unmistakable sound of recorders, a dash of percussion, and a backing band of younger siblings, parents, and even grandparents.”

“To highlight the vital role of the arts and show support for educators, NZEI Te Riu Roa Primary principal leader Robyn Brown organised a mini concert on the steps of Parliament.”

“The setlist? A high energy rendition of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You,’ followed by the modern classic ‘Baby Shark.’”

“We are so proud of our tamariki and the heart they put into their music,” Brown said. “This concert celebrates our students’ musical journeys while advocating for what is close to our hearts: a teacher aide in every classroom, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ensuring fair pay for educators.”

Seymour was critical of the event, saying, “It makes me really sad because those children have a right to an education. What they don’t deserve is to be recruited for political purposes.”

“There’s a group of people who believe education is an opportunity to indoctrinate them in a set of adults’ political beliefs. I think that’s completely wrong.”

In a further response sent to Chris Lynch Media, Brown rejected the criticism. “I take huge exception to your characterisation of our actions as ‘indoctrination’ or the ‘recruitment’ of children for political purposes,” she said.

“By framing our advocacy this way, you are the one politicising a fundamental fight for the future of New Zealand’s education system.”

Brown said the protest was about protecting education standards and student outcomes.

“Ensuring a child has a right to an education is exactly why we were on those steps. It is not just a job; it is a professional, personal, and parental mission carried out by those who understand the classroom better than anyone else,” she said.

“In fact, I actually agree with you that we should not be bringing politics into education. Politics should stay out of education. However, fighting for learning support, a curriculum that is fit for purpose, and ensuring our country’s founding document is valued is not a political campaign, it is a professional necessity,” she said.

“Involving students in a performance about their own future is an act of civic engagement that teaches them their voices have value in a democracy,” she said.