Summarised by Centrist
At New Plymouth Boys’ High, Year 11 student Oliver Jull’s experience has ignited a debate on free speech in schools. Jull was initially accepted into a speech competition final, but after presenting on “The Decline of Western Civilization,” he was told his views might “upset” some in the audience.
His speech, covering topics like “erosion of traditional values” and the “impact of multiculturalism,” sparked school concerns, resulting in Jull’s exclusion. “We can’t have that, can we?!” one critic quipped, questioning how this aligns with the school’s motto: ‘Friendship – Courage – Wisdom.’
Jull faced repeated pushback from teachers and administrators, who labelled his views as “black and white and right-wing.” Attempts to engage senior staff went nowhere, leading Jull to bring his story to The Platform and gain support from the Free Speech Union (FSU). “The word gaslighting actually comes to mind,” FSU representatives stated, highlighting school leaders’ reluctance to address Jull’s claims of censorship.
While the school claims Jull never qualified for the final, recordings secretly taken by Jull reveal otherwise, showing his acceptance and later exclusion based solely on his views.
