Prime Minister John Key questions whether Kawerau Intermediate pupils who made a hikoi to Parliament this week to challenge the closure of their school, really understood the issues.
The Ministry of Education intends to close three Kawerau primary schools and the intermediate at the end of the year and merge them all into one school.
Mr Key says the ministry's need to amalgamate schools can lead to passionate feelings.
"Everyone resists change, no matter what age they are," he said.
