– I think it is important that the teachers help make arrangements for those who find it difficult to get through school, says Christina Tansihaug Andersen. Andersen is student council leader at Kirkeparken upper secondary school in Moss. Student council leader Christina Tansihaug Andersen thinks it has been difficult to return to school after the pandemic. Photo: Julie Helene Günther The 19-year-old thinks it has been difficult to return to school after several years of coronary restrictions and home schooling. – It has been very difficult to keep up with the lessons. I understand that it has been difficult for many. On a national basis, just over 80 per cent of pupils complete upper secondary education, figures from Statistics Norway show. At Kirkeparken, 10 percent of the students have dropped out for various reasons in 2021 and 2022. – It is very sad that more people are unable to finish, says Andersen. Nav into school Nav in Moss has now started a project to help students who struggle to finish. – The fact that we have fewer people to work with, and that we can work with over time, is one of the success factors, says Elisabeth Harder in Nav Moss. Photo: Julie Helene Günther – It is the first time such a project aimed at upper secondary students has been carried out on a national basis, says project coordinator Elisabeth Harder. What distinguishes the project from other similar offers is the collaboration between job specialists and cognitive therapists. They offer individual conversations with those who want it. – We are a voluntary offer for young people and are concerned that it is the young people themselves who should want this, says cognitive therapist Hilde E. Johansen. Over 40 students at the two upper secondary schools in Moss have asked for help since the start of school. Hilde E. Johansen works as a cognitive therapist in Nav and is part of the new project. Photo: Julie Helene Günther – We have gained access to an arena that Nav has not been so close to before, says Harder. Big differences In the giant county of Viken, with over 1,500,000 inhabitants, there are big geographical differences. The situation is worst in the former counties of Østfold and Buskerud. – In Østfold, you have seen a slight decline after the pandemic which has not yet recovered, says county councilor for education and skills in Viken, Heidi Westbye Nyhus. In Akershus, the completion rate is far higher than in the rest of Viken. – Akershus has worked purposefully over many years with a survey of each individual student, in order to map out where the necessary help needs to be put in. The county council says that there are several reasons for the differences in the large county. – Among other things, it is the students’ grades from secondary school that are decisive for how one completes. Growing up conditions also affect the differences, – The parents’ level of education can be an underlying cause, says Nyhus. – It’s okay to ask for help The leader of the Student Council in Moss is not surprised that several east folding students have dropped out in recent years. – It was hard to get through the corona era, and I think it is very stupid that some people are less motivated, says Andersen. Now she is happy that a new help offer has arrived at the school. – It gives students more opportunities. I also think it is wise to make students more aware that it is okay to say you need help. Hi Did you think of anything in particular when you read this case? Or do you have any thoughts on what I should write about? Please send me an email.
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