Spring exams are cancelled once again, confirms the Norwegian Minister of Education.
At a press conference today, the Norwegian government announced its decision to cancel written and oral exams in both ungdomsskole and videregående schools.
In Norway's education system, children aged between 13 and 16 attend ungdomsskole. The majority then continue on to videregående skole from 16 to 19.
It is the third year in a row such exams have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, following similar cancellations in 2020 and 2021.
Recommendation from education bosses
According to the Minister of Education Tonje Brenna, the government has listened to the recommendation of the Directorate of Education to cancel the exams.
The decision may surprise some given Norway's lifting of most national restrictions. However, Brenna said they had to make a quick decision together with the uncertainty of what the situation will be like in three months.
“All exams will be canceled this spring. We want to avoid a situation where many students are ill on exams and can not complete,” said Minister of Education Tonje Brenna at a press conference.
Private exams and trade apprentice exams known as “svenneprøver” are not cancelled.
“Not a message to relax”
The student organization has applauded the Directorate of Education's recommendation. However, Brenna emphasised that students should not relax.
She also had a message for parents about continuing to follow up: “Ask about school work, ask about homework and be involved.”
“Should have come earlier”
SV education spokesperson Freddy André Øvstegård told NRK that the decision should have come much earlier. “The uncertainty has put great strain on the students and teachers,” he said.
An admission of mistakes
The Young Conservative's Ola Svenneby was among the voices criticising the decision. He said it's an acknowledgement that schools have not given students the education they are entitled to.
“It is serious if they think students are not well enough prepared for an exam. The government must come up with a plan for how all students will learn what they are supposed to,” he said.
