– We think that is positive! It promotes inclusion, equality and makes no difference whether the families have good or bad finances, says headmaster Nina Tørholen to news. Alvimhaugen is one of the smaller schools in Sarpsborg municipality, but also one of the more diverse. The 150 students have roots in 26 different nations. POSITIVE: Principal Nina Tørholen at Alvimhaugen primary school is very happy that more children are attending after-school. Photo: Mats Rønning / news Last year, around half of the first-graders participated in the after-school program (SFO). Now the turnout is almost 100 percent. – Not everyone has parents who work full-time, and then the money is prioritized on something other than an after-school place. When the parental payment ceases for 12 hours a week, the threshold for participation is much lower, says Tørholen. Saves 20,000 On Friday morning, the government presented fresh figures showing that a record number of children are now part of the after-school scheme: a total of 165,000 children are now in after-school care across the country. There are 12,000 more children than last year. The reason for the strong growth is SV’s success in the budget negotiations with the governing parties last autumn. The move to introduce free core time of 12 hours each week in SFO saves families around NOK 20,000 a year. – This shows that politics works. Because this is a rather large cost for the families, says SV’s Freddy André Øvstegård to news. SATISFIED: SV’s Freddy Øvstegård believes his party has the main credit for the after-school figures. Photo: Javad M.Parsa / NTB He expects new growth next year, because next year the offer will be expanded to also include second-graders. – But neither would this have happened without SV. This case was among our most important priorities in the budget negotiations, insists Øvstegård. – Why is it so important that more people go to SFO? – It’s about the community that is created through play and development after school. No child should have to go home alone, while the other children can continue playing, says Øvstegård. Facts about SFO participation A total of 165,000 children now attend SFO across the country. This is an increase of 12,000 from 153,000 children in the autumn of 2021. In 2023, the government will spend NOK 1.4 billion on free offers for first-graders, and NOK 700 million on expanding the scheme for second-graders. In an evaluation of the after-school program from 2018, a third stated price as the reason for not using after-school care. The price of an after-school place is determined locally. A part-time position costs an average of NOK 1,820 a month, while a full-time position costs an average of NOK 2,870 a month. Biggest growth in Agder In total, 92 per cent of all the country’s first-graders go to after-school education. This is a marked increase from 83 per cent in autumn 2021. After-school participation has increased in all counties. The growth has been greatest in Agder, with 15 percentage points. This is followed by Innlandet, where participation has increased by 13 percentage points from last year. INEQUALITY: In the smallest municipalities, after-school participation is the lowest, says Iren Hilleren in the Directorate of Education. Photo: Directorate of Education – This year, the figures show that participation is highest in Oslo and lowest in Innerlandet. In general, it is smaller outlying municipalities that have the lowest participation in SFO. Of the 10 municipalities with the lowest participation, 9 municipalities had a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants, says head of department Iren Hilleren in the Directorate of Education to news. Despite the fact that the free offer has so far only covered the first stage, there has also been an increase in participation among pupils in the 2nd-4th stage. – This is a historic expansion of the joint school, says Minister of Education Tonje Brenna (Ap) in a press release. HISTORICAL: Education Minister Tonje Brenna (Ap) uses big words about the increased after-school participation. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) says the policy is a follow-up to the Hurdal platform, but acknowledges that SV has done its bit to get the free offer in place. – Cheaper after-school care will help many families in a time that is financially demanding. Therefore, I believe it is right that the government, together with SV, prioritized this for both first and second graders in next year’s state budget, says Støre. – It is fun! Outside Alvimhaugen primary school stands a bust of circus king Arne “Arnardo” Andersen, who grew up here. Inside the after-school facilities, the atmosphere is at least as good as it was in the circus tent while “Arnardo” himself was in the arena. ENJOY: Meirem and Amelia are enjoying themselves at SFO. Principal Nina Tørholen is happy about that. – It’s a lot of fun at SFO! I like to draw and bead and play with my friends, says third-grader Amelia Gartit. Her friend Meirem Hamidovic, who is taking the next step, is also happy to be at after-school. – You can play with whoever you want and do lots of activities. SV’s Freddy André Øvstegård is himself from Sarpsborg and knows the municipality’s challenges well. He allows himself to be excited by the fact that after-school participation has doubled at the school. – It shows that it really helps, where it is most needed. In areas where people have poor finances, where there is higher child poverty, he says.
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Here EVERYONE goes to SFO – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
