The case in summary: In the Debate on Tuesday, Fredrik Solvang asked Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) about what she thinks about schools being closed down. Nordtun replied, among other things, that decisions about school closures are a local democratic responsibility. Thilde Kveum Bergheim (14) took part in the Debate. She is disappointed by the answer and says that school closures will affect both the school day and her free time. She therefore demands that the minister respond. Nordtun expresses understanding for the commitment to local schools, but clarifies that decisions about schools must be made locally. The matter of a new school and provision structure in the interior will be decided in the county council on Wednesday 23 October. On Tuesday evening, Thilde Kveum Bergheim from Skjåk met Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) in the Debate on NRK1. There, the minister received a question from program manager Fredrik Solvang, which Kveum Bergheim believes is simple: – What does the Minister of Education think about schools being closed? Kveum Bergheim wrote in a post on Facebook on Thursday that she did not get an answer to that. – Me and my friends demand that you answer this question, writes Kveum Bergheim in the post. See the Debate below: Thilde Kveum Bergheim from Skjåk and Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) were both in the Debate on Tuesday this week. To the question, the minister answered, among other things, that: – It is the responsibility of the local democracy. We have a strong local democracy in our country and they have received that responsibility from their own citizens in the municipalities and county councils. Have to give up leisure activities Kveum Bergheim is surprised that the minister says that it is up to local democracy, when “involvement in my local environment has not been greater since the Second World War”. – I am both disappointed and sorry that grown people like you, responsible for my education and my youth life, cannot answer such a simple question, writes the 14-year-old. Thilde Kveum Bergheim (14) is not satisfied with Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap)’s actions during the Debate. Photo: Tom Baalstad / news Kveum Bergheim tells news that it is not just the school day that is affected. – This means that I have to end all leisure activities and replace them with school. Sympathy and understanding news asked Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) for an answer to the content of Kveum Bergheim’s Facebook post. Nessa Nordtun says she understands and sympathizes with those who get involved to keep their local school. – It is easy to understand that there are strong feelings involved in closing down their own community school. I had definitely experienced such feelings myself, writes the minister in an e-mail to news. She clarifies that the Storting has said that decisions related to schools must be made locally by the elected representatives, because they know the local conditions best. – I think that is wise. – Although the Labor Party wants safe and good local schools where people live, there may be cases where schools have to be merged with others, or in the worst case, closed down. Municipalities and county councils must balance several considerations, including falling pupil numbers, finances and other societal considerations. Expect new demonstrations Several demonstrations have been reported before the Innlandet County Council is to make a decision on the matter on Wednesday 23 October, because many believe that there are other solutions. The Education Confederation in Innlandet announced on Thursday evening that they will go on a political demonstration strike the day before the county council meeting, and according to the newspaper Fjuken, many businesses are closing down in both Lom and Skjåk municipalities on Tuesday. The 14-year-old and her class from Skjåk are among those who will demonstrate next Tuesday at the county council. – I just want to be with my family and friends, and go to the nice school in Lom, which all the students there are happy with, writes Kveum Bergheim. Published 19.10.2024, at 10.12 Updated 19.10.2024, at 10.20
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