Until now, there has been a requirement to have a certificate from health personnel in order to be away from school. If the pupils have more than 10 per cent undocumented absences in a subject, they will not receive a grade in the subject. From next autumn, pupils can again submit a self-report and be away from school for up to 10 per cent of the school year, according to the government. – The rules apply from 1 August 2025 and will be more similar to what students encounter in working life. This is according to school policy spokesperson in the Center Party Marit Knutsdatter Strand. Reduces the burden on the doctors The pupils have been able to submit sick leave from the first day they are ill without it having gone beyond the absence. That possibility disappears. It should ease the pressure on health personnel, says the Minister of Knowledge. – The action we are now taking will significantly ease the burden on GPs and ensure that they spend their time on those patients who actually need help. We also prevent the possibility of saving up absences, for example for use during rush hour, says Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap). The Minister of Education states that they will continue with the 10 per cent rule on the basis that it is important that the pupils attend school in order to learn more and take part in the community. – We must have clear absence rules in Norwegian schools with clear expectations that the pupils will show up, says Kari Nessa Nordtun. This is how the absence rules will be from next school year. When pupils have reached the limit of 10 per cent absence in a subject, they must document sickness absence with a certificate from health personnel. It will be easier for students to obtain a driving license for a car by the fact that absences resulting from theoretical and practical driving tests are included in the list of exceptions to the absence limit. Today, there are only exceptions for parts of the compulsory driving education. In order to simplify and de-bureaucratise, the absence will only be counted at the end of the school year instead of twice during the school year as is the case today. It is easier for the schools, and can motivate pupils who have high absences at Christmas to reduce their absences in the summer. Certain forms of absence, such as political and religious absences, will still be exempt from the absence limit. Absences must still be entered on the diploma. Those who have a chronic illness or ailments that cause a high risk of absence must still be able to use self-reporting in combination with a doctor’s certificate. The headmaster must still be able to use his discretion in absences of up to 15 per cent of the hours in a subject. Then the student can still get a grade if the reason for the absence makes it clearly unreasonable that the absence limit should apply. Source: Regjeringa.no Regaining authority Knutsdatter Strand believes this will contribute to the pupils showing up at school and getting the most out of their schooling. – But also that they get the authorities and opportunities to have a sick day. If they spend time at the doctor’s office, they would rather stay at home and get well and then recover quickly, says Strand. Marit Knutsdatter Strand is school policy spokesperson in the Center Party. She says that there will be changes to the rules, which will give the pupils more authority back. Photo: Roar Berntsen / news She says it should be easier to get room for a valid absence to take the note and to participate in political activity. They also extend valid absences to also apply to driving and the theory test for those who are going to take a class B driver’s license. In the event of an absence of more than 10 per cent in a subject, the pupils must still have a health certificate. The headmaster will still be able to assess absences of up to 15 per cent for pupils who need it for extraordinary reasons. The absenteeism limit was evaluated in 2020. Then it turned out that absences had decreased by 27 per cent in four years in secondary school. The students also got better grades. But the students wanted greater flexibility. Published 21.11.2024, at 07.56 Updated 21.11.2024, at 08.15
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Absence limit clarified: Students have the right to self-report
