One in four schools in Norway had to close last winter

SchoolPhoto: Gorm Kallestad / NTB

Last winter, increased infection pressure meant that one in four schools in Norway had to close completely or partially. One in six schools had problems getting hold of the students.

In the period from January 4 to March 12, 25% of the country’s 2,767 primary schools had to close in whole or in part at least once, according to recent figures from the Norwegian Directorate of Education. Closed schools mean that students have received digital education at home.

“We know that the schools have gone to great lengths to provide students with a good education. At the same time, we see that this winter’s infection situation made it demanding to stay open in many places, especially in Oslo and Viken,” Minister of Education and Integration Guri Melby (V) said.

Getting hold of students

16% of primary and lower secondary schools also stated that they had problems getting hold of one or more pupils in home school.

“This shows that home school has not worked so well for some students and that it particularly affects vulnerable children and young people. We also saw this during the closure last spring. 

“I am worried that the closure may have affected the learning of many students, and especially those that the teachers did not get hold of,” Melby said.

“In the future, it is important that the schools follow up these students closely and put measures in place for those who need it,” she added.  

Most schools closed in Oslo

There were large regional differences, but schools in Oslo and Viken were hit the hardest – 60% and 45% of the schools were affected, respectively.

The counties with the lowest proportion of closed schools were Møre og Romsdal and Rogaland, where 11% and 12% of the schools were affected, respectively.

Adults in primary and lower secondary education also had to have a lot of school from home during the same period. One in three adult education centers has had to stay completely or partially closed. In Oslo, the proportion was as high as 86%.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayEducation

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