The Norwegian Education System

The education by itself: and the education levels (extensive version)1

In general, all the educational levels in Norway are managed by the Ministry of Education

and Research, from kindergarten to higher education, with some differences in operational

responsibility depending on level.

The primary level is compulsory and free for all people between 6-16 years, and all younger

people from 16-19 have a statutory right to three years of secondary education after they have

completed the primary school. These sums up the 13 years of basic education in Norway,

which people need to go further on for higher education.

The education system itself is structured in four main levels (the three first of these is parts of

the school system)2:

1) Kindergarten

2) Primary and lower secondary education,

3) Upper secondary education and training

4) Higher education (universities and colleges)

Norway does also have:

5) Education and training for adults

6) Tertiary vocational education

1 Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge» [On-line]. http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge (27.11.2013).2

Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research (2007). “Education in Norway: from Kindergarten to Adult Education” [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/Veiledninger%20og%20brosjyrer/Education_in_Norway_f-4133e.pdf (27.11.2013).

For the 1) kindergartens, the operational responsibility lies on the municipalities. This

applies to private kindergartens as well as the public. Private kindergartens can get guidance

from the local government authority on how they should function.

Kindergartens are subsidised by the state for up until 40% of the cost, while the

municipality and parents pay the rest (parental fees). The kindergartens are not compulsory

but voluntary (but they are recommended as an important part for children’s socialisation)

before they go on to primary education level. Anyone who wants it has the opportunity to

attend a kindergarten. Studies actually show that almost as much as 90% of all Norwegian

children in the age of 1-5 years had a spot in a kindergarten last year (2012)3.

Mandatory years in school

When the children comes to 6 years of age, they all start in the ten-year primary school,

which is now mandatory for everyone between 6-16 years. The primary is though the only

education level that is mandatory for everyone, as upper secondary and higher/tertiary

education is not.

Schools in the 2) primary level is like the kindergartens, under municipal control. The

primary education level is divided into two sub levels: primary education (1-7th grade) and

lower secondary (8th-10th grade). The students only get marks in the lower secondary school.

Common Curricula for basic educationThe primary education are based one unitary principle (equal and adapted for everybody in a

co-ordinated school system), and here follows:

“All children and young people should take part in a common knowledge, culture and

values” (Askheim & Reisegg; SNL, 2012)4.

The 13 years of “basic” school have since the school year of 2006-07 had common curricula

based on values of equality in the education, like those that the one presented here. This

“basic school” includes the three years of secondary education at the end of the basic

education, which all people between 16-19 years have a statutory right to attend.

3 Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Barnehager» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem1 4

Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Grunnskolen» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem2

The education which every person are entitled, by the means of the Education Act of 19985

must be completed within five years before the end of the years that a student turns 24 years.

The 3) Secondary level is though not mandatory, but required for going on to higher

education.

MRK: Studies shows that in the fall term of 2012, 92% of all citizens between 16-18 years

old were registered as a student or apprentice in secondary education… (Askheim & Reisegg;

SNL, 2012)

The secondary schools are under the control of the counties. They are unified and have a

coordinated general education that prepares students for going to higher education.

Most of the schools also offers vocational training. This training prepares students for going

more directly in to work or going into working life through an apprenticeship at a workplace

(the apprenticeship scheme). Two years in school and two or more years in specialisation is

the most usual. After apprenticeship, the student would receive a certificate, which shows

their vocational skills/qualifications.

The Higher education level (4) in Norway contains mainly of the eight universities, but also

all the professional colleges, art colleges, state colleges and private colleges. Among these

eight university colleges as well and 19 governmental colleges. The private colleges are

mainly in the business and administration sector, or in health sciences, media and art, etc.

Norway also have four military colleges controlled by the army, where military training and

preparing for work in the force is the focus. Common for all these institutions is that you need

a certificate diploma from secondary level for admission, and for going to the military people

must have completed their 1 year service in military.

Political changes and acts for higher education

In 2003 there was introduced a quality reform6 that gave the higher education institutions a

greater responsibility and a greater freedom to choose which areas they wanted to teach in,

and it also introduced the new degree structure with the integration of the international degree

5

Nilsen, F.H. (2011). «Norge – videregående opplæring» [On-line] http://snl.no/Norge_-_videreg%C3%A5ende_oppl%C3%A6ring (27.11.2013). 6

MRK: Footnote: 15

system with the Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees (PhD’s) according to the Bologna

Process7

With this, the scope of the studies has changed; the assessment system has changed, and the

credits embedded in the different degrees is the same for the most universities. In Europe

there a system called ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)8 which

indicates equality of credits that students get through studies in the different countries. This

reform has also made the higher education more mobile and there are now good possibilities

for Norwegian students to do a whole or a part of a degree abroad (on exchange from a

Norwegian university). The ERASMUS programme/system9 is an example -of an exchange

program which makes the mobility easier.

The structure of the different educational systems through the years

About Norwegian Education historyThe Norwegian education system has changed a lot over the years. Seen in a historically

perspective, the most common known changes started in 1736 when training in reading was

made compulsory for all children, and in 1739 when universal schooling (schooling for

everybody), were introduced10.

According to the overlying, it is important to note that equality is an important value in the

Norwegian culture and society; coming strongly out through quote like this one saying that:

“…everyone should have the same opportunities, no matter their socioeconomically

state”.

…or another one saying:

7

The Bologna Declaration on European space for higher education: an explanation. (06.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna.pdf 8 European Commission – Education & Training. (2013) European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). (07.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/ects_en.htm 9

European Commission – Education & Training. (2013) The ERASMUS Programme: studying in Europe and more. (07.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/erasmus_en.htm 10

Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. (2009) Primary and lower secondary schooling. [On-line]. http://web.archive.org/web/20090504234339/http://www.norway.org.uk/education/education/primary/primary.htm

“Children and young people must have an equal right to education, regardless of where they

live, gender, social and cultural background or any special needs” (Norwegian Ministry of

Education and Research, 2007)11

Values like that those quotes above is presenting, are strongly embedded in the educational

system, as it is a principle with long traditions in the society. It has proven more and more

over the years, as which socioeconomically state people have has become less important, and

so on. Moreover, the terminology of equality itself has become even stronger over the years,

and today it is a basic precept of the education policies in Norway12.

Seen more back in time, by historically means, over centuries, different acts and laws have

been introduced by the different governments in charge. The changes has not been major

each single time, by this means - the changes has come gradually over the years in the same

speed as the development of rest the society (including the political changes) as a whole.

There are many examples of changes over the years, like these:

In 1889, the mandatory primary school (or people’s school) lasted for seven years, while it in

1969 was increased to nine years, and as late as in 1997 with further 1 year added to ten years

of mandatory school (for all children born in 1991 or later)13.

Through the 1990’s until today (the last 20-25 years) there have been many reforms

throughout the whole education system, making changes in the educational systems with the

main purpose of renewal and restructuring, and a hope to find an optimal organisation of the

educative process to bring the education up to date14.

11

Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. (2007) Education – from Kindergarten to Adult Education. Oslo: Norway. (29.12.2013) [Available on-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/Veiledninger%20og%20brosjyrer/Education_in_Norway_f-4133e.pdf 12

Rapport. (2001) National Report from Norway – The development of education from 1991-2000. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/kd/dok/rapporter_planer/rapporter/2001/the-development-of-education-1991-to-200/1.html?id=277458 13

Opplæringsloven. (2011). In: Store Norske Leksikon (05.12.2012). [On-line] http://snl.no/oppl%C3%A6ringsloven 14

Guidlines and brochures. (2007) The challenge posed by a quality reform in primary and secondary education. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/documents/brochures-and-handbooks/2003/The-Committee-for-Quality-in-Primary-and.html?id=87998

The education has become a priority area for the politicians of Norway more than ever, and

have been seen as a key, especially to economic, social and cultural development of Norway

as a state, but also as development for better understanding and interaction with the world

around. The governments over the years, especially the last 30-20 years, have had a vision of

Norway as an advances society of knowledge, which is ranked among the best in the world,

and also as a society that is able to make this knowledge and competence available to all

citizens, as well as to utilise the resources of all citizens… (The Norwegian Ministry of

Education and Research, 2001).

As a part of all this, the political system in 2003 introduced the Quality Reform (as mentioned

above was introduced as a part of the Bologna Process as a part of the international degree

system and development of knowledge)15.

Another example is “Kunnskapsløftet” (the Knowledge Promotion) which is the latest reform

introduced in primary level and secondary upper education, with effect from fall term

200616-17. The changes in the Knowledge Promotion had from the first year effect only for

pupils in the grades of 1-9 in primary school but also for students in their first year of upper

secondary education. This reform has introduced some major changes in the substance,

structure and organisation from 1st grade to 10th grade in primary school and to 3rd grade in

upper secondary (these also known as the 13 years of basic education).

How to access university (higher education)

In Norway students only need their general admission from secondary education and a

certificate diploma from the general studies programme to apply for higher education18.

Depending on the type of schemes the student has studied in. For example this could be one

15

The Norwegian Government. (2007) Kvalitetsreformen i lys av Bologna-prosessen. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line] http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/higher-education/bolognaprosessen/kvalitetsreformen-i-lys-av-bologna-prose.html?id=43955216

The Norwegian Government. (2013) Knowledge Promotion. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/compulsory-education/Knowledge-Promotion.html?id=1411 17

Kunnskapsløftet. (2011). Store norske leksikon. (07.12.2013). [On-line] http://snl.no/Kunnskapsl%C3%B8ftethttp://snl.no/Kunnskapsl%C3%B8ftet 18

The Norwegian Government. (2010) Regulations concerning admission to higher education. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/UH/forskrifter/Regulations_Admission_HigherEducation.pdf

of the three programmes in the general studies programme; (based on science and

mathematics or on language, economy and social sciences), and as well as the level of the

marks which the student have achieved in their respective modules. These will then, or at

some point, decide for the student, which studies he, or she are able to get into.

If a student for example want to go to study in a good technical university, like the

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), or generally studies like medicine

or psychology, s/he will need good marks from secondary school. Some of the governmental

education institutions or private institutions may though have different tests as forms part of a

matriculation process that appliers are requisite to pass to get admission.

System for students with special needs: How they get supported

“All students with a mother tongue that is different from Norwegian or Sami are

entitled to special tuition until they can follow normal teaching in schools”. (SNL,

2012).

“Students who receive special education in elementary school are entitled to an IEP

(Individual Education Plan).” (SNL, 2012).

These are important quotes related to values of equality in education. Equality also means

that those with certain special needs, either it is because of language differences or other

reasons for needing extra support, students should get instruction and training adapted to their

abilities, as the following says:

“The right to adapted education and training applies to both those who need extra

support in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome from regular education and

training and those pupils who need extra challenges.” (Norwegian Directorate for

Education and Training, 2012, p.7)19

In Norway there is a very good system for supporting those with extra needs, at least for

supporting those that have problems with following regular school in a normal tempo – and

that need help with the challenges there already is. The IEP system is more developed for

people at this stage, rather than for those who is in need for extra challenges. To follow the

19 The Norwegian Government. (2012) The Education Mirror 2012: Analysis of primary and secondary education and training in Norway (2012 edition). Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research (The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training) [On-line]. http://www.udir.no/Upload/Rapporter/2012/US2012_ENG_nettversjon.pdf?epslanguage=no

IEP system up and help the schools, the municipalities has an organ called the PPT (PPS),

which is a legal advisory and expert body working on principals from the Educational Act in

relation to persons or groups with special needs. The body also helps in assessing the need for

SNE for the student considered with professional expert advises, and help to form their IEP.

For people from 1-4th grade (1-7th grade for people with “extraordinary” needs assigned to

SNE and having an IEP20), there are an “after school service” (SFO)– which is an extra-

curricular activities programme that students go to after their classes are done for the day and

normally until their parents are done with their own workday. These centres are often close to

or in the same buildings as the school classes. The people who work there in most cases have

an approved pre-school teacher education or some certificate in childcare and youth work,

and are there to take care of and help young students that need it.

On the secondary upper level there is a statutory imposing that schools need to have a social

pedagogic service and a career counselling service working together with the PPT-service21.

These organs also co-operates with a body called the Monitory Service (SNL, 200922). This

service body under the control of the county councils have a statutory duty to follow up

young people between 16-19 years whom are either in school or at work.

Grades retention: repeating grades

Norway do not allow grade retention - but in some of the universities and colleges, there are

though, possibilities for re-sitting exams (that is not passed the first time) in many of the

modules.

20

The Norwegian Government. (2013) Primary and lower level education: Skolefritidsordningen (SFO). Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/compulsory-education/skolefritidsordningen-sfo.html?id=434946 21

Municipality of Frogn. (2009) Pedagogisk-psykologisk tjeneste (PPT) (2nd Edition 2013). Drøbak: Norway. [Available on-line]. https://www.frogn.kommune.no/tjenester/alle/Pedagogiskpsykologisk-tjeneste/ 22

Oppfølgingstjenesten. (2009, 14. february). In «Store norske leksikon». (09.12.2013) [On-line]. http://snl.no/oppf%C3%B8lgingstjenesten

Higher education and population: Percentage of the people going to higher education

Figure 1: The illustration shows the amount of students in tertiary education in Norway and Norwegian students abroad, by gender and age per October 2012 (in absolute figures and per cent). Source: SSB | Statistics Norway23

Political and economic matters

Private and state schools24

- In the Norwegian education, there are both private schools (where the students have to

pay tuition fees) and public schools (that is free).

- There are though very few private schools compared to the amount of public schools.

- The few private schools there are, is on all the education levels. Most of them are

under regulations of the Independent Schools Act, and they get public support, if the

Educational Directorate approves them.

- The Private schools must according to the regulations given, follow a common

curriculum for all schools on primary and secondary level, as the public schools - the

main difference is though that the private schools also have some alternative

educational program

23 Statistics Norway (29.05.2013) Students at universities and colleges, 1 October 2012. (06.12.2013). [On-line]. http://www.ssb.no/en/utdanning/statistikker/utuvh/aar/2013-05-29#content 24

Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Private skoler» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem6

- Studies show that there were 159 private schools on the primary level in the school

year of 2010/2011, and that around 2,6 per cent of all the students in Norway on this

level, goes to a private school, and of the students in upper secondary level there were

7 per cent in private schools by 2011.

- There are none private universities, but there are some private colleges, which are

mainly self-financial’ iced.

Who does establish the educational system? The education ministry or the regional authorities? Management of education in Norway25 and Political influence

- It is the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research that has the overall

responsibility for all education, including the kindergartens

- The ministry work as the educational department’s executive body – with main

responsibility on the quality, which again includes new curriculum, etc.

- The Ministry sets the regulations for curricula according to educational laws and acts

set by the respective government – where the leader of the Ministry (the Minister) has

a seat

- The eight universities and most of the colleges are operated by the ministry itself

Regional authorities:

o The primary schools are operated by the municipalities, and the secondary

schools by the counties

- Each county has a governor who perform state functions at regional level – and

controlling that the laws and regulations of the ministry are followed

- On municipal level, they have councils that can decide by themselves if they want to

create a committee body under their regulation that has the responsibility of managing

the schools. Many of the municipality councils choses instead to let the schools

themselves have delegated functions, like an own operation board

- Some municipalities has a development sector, where the schools are included

25 Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Forvaltning av utdanning i Norge» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem7

How much money do the government invest in the country? (Percentage of GDP)

o Back in 2003, Norway invested 1.7% of GDP in research and development,

while the OECD average was 2.2%.

o The expenditure on education in Norway represents 7.6% of the GDP. The

average in the OECD countries are 6.3 %. (2010)... (Askheim & Reisegg;

SNL, 2012).

Religion: and education

Faith Schools:

- Most of the private schools in Norway are faith schools, where beliefs are central to how the

schools operates (besides the fact that they like all other private schools must follow the

national curriculum).

- Examples are Christian or humanistic schools

Is Religion influencing on the educational system?

Christian tradition

- Historically: the first schools in Norway was cathedral schools

- Although these kind of schools are more or less gone, the Christian values and

traditions are a part of most Norwegians live (e.g. according to traditions like

confirmations, holidays like Christmas, etc.) * Holidays is also to determine how the

school year is planned, and influence the educational system itself in that way

o Norway is today a modern secular and multicultural country where religion is

not statutory, but, as it is a main part of the country’s history and culture, it is

essential for this and the coming generations to learn about, e.g. why we

celebrate Christmas and other days

o Many laws are founded on Christian values, and the education system are

regulated by laws

Bibliography

[1] Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge» [On-line]. http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge (27.11.2013).

[3] Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Barnehager» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem1

[4] Askheim, S. & Reisegg, Ø. (2012). «Skole og utdanning i Norge: Grunnskolen» [On-line]. (27.11.2013). http://snl.no/Skole_og_utdanning_i_Norge#menuitem2

[7] European Commission – Education & Training. (2013) European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). (07.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/ects_en.htm

[8] European Commission – Education & Training. (2013) The ERASMUS Programme: studying in Europe and more. (07.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/erasmus_en.htm

[14] Guidlines and brochures. (2007) The challenge posed by a quality reform in primary and secondary education. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/documents/brochures-and-handbooks/2003/The-Committee-for-Quality-in-Primary-and.html?id=87998

[17] Kunnskapsløftet. (2011). Store norske leksikon. (07.12.2013). [On-line] http://snl.no/Kunnskapsl%C3%B8ftethttp://snl.no/Kunnskapsl%C3%B8ftet

[21] Municipality of Frogn. (2009) Pedagogisk-psykologisk tjeneste (PPT) (2nd update 2013). Drøbak: Norway. [Available on-line]. https://www.frogn.kommune.no/tjenester/alle/Pedagogiskpsykologisk-tjeneste/

[5] Nilsen, F.H. (2011). «Norge – videregående opplæring» [On-line] http://snl.no/Norge_-videreg%C3%A5ende_oppl%C3%A6ring (27.11.2013).

[11] Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. (2007) Education – from Kindergarten to Adult Education. Oslo: Norway. (29.12.2013) [Available on-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/Veiledninger%20og%20brosjyrer/Education_in_Norway_f-4133e.pdf

[2] Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research (2007). “Education in Norway: from Kindergarten to Adult Education” [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/Veiledninger%20og%20brosjyrer/Education_in_Norway_f-4133e.pdf (27.11.2013).

[10] Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. (2009) Primary and lower secondary schooling. [On-line]. http://web.archive.org/web/20090504234339/http://www.norway.org.uk/education/education/primary/primary.htm

[22] Oppfølgingstjenesten. (2009, 14. february). In «Store norske leksikon». (09.12.2013) [On-line]. http://snl.no/oppf%C3%B8lgingstjenesten

[13] Opplæringsloven. (2011). In: Store Norske Leksikon (05.12.2012). [On-line] http://snl.no/oppl%C3%A6ringsloven

[12] Rapport. (2001) National Report from Norway – The development of education from 1991-2000. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/kd/dok/rapporter_planer/rapporter/2001/the-development-of-education-1991-to-200/1.html?id=277458

[23] Statistics Norway (29.05.2013) Students at universities and colleges, 1 October 2012. (06.12.2013). [On-line]. http://www.ssb.no/en/utdanning/statistikker/utuvh/aar/2013-05-29#content

[6] The Bologna Declaration on European space for higher education: an explanation. (06.12.2013). [On-line]. http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna.pdf

[16] The Norwegian Government. (2013) Knowledge Promotion. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/compulsory-education/Knowledge-Promotion.html?id=1411

[15] The Norwegian Government. (2007) Kvalitetsreformen i lys av Bologna-prosessen. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line] http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/higher-education/bolognaprosessen/kvalitetsreformen-i-lys-av-bologna-prose.html?id=439552

[20] The Norwegian Government. (2013) Primary and lower level education: Skolefritidsordningen (SFO). Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/Selected-topics/compulsory-education/skolefritidsordningen-sfo.html?id=434946

[18] The Norwegian Government. (2010) Regulations concerning admission to higher education. Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. [On-line]. http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KD/Vedlegg/UH/forskrifter/Regulations_Admission_HigherEducation.pdf

[19] The Norwegian Government. (2012) The Education Mirror 2012: Analysis of primary and secondary education and training in Norway (2012 edition). Oslo: Norway. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research (The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training). [On-line]. http://www.udir.no/Upload/Rapporter/2012/US2012_ENG_nettversjon.pdf?epslanguage=no