There is a stark class divide running through Norwegian classrooms. Between those who can afford to go on a school trip, and those who cannot. Therefore, my appeal is resoundingly clear: now both head teachers and parents must step up. If not everyone can join the trip, then no one should go. A few weeks ago, a mother got in touch and told a provocative story. Her kid’s class was going on a longer trip to more southern regions. With academic arrangements, during school hours. The price was NOK 13–14,000 per student. Obviously not everyone could afford it. It was the school that organized, but called the trip “voluntary”. Such stories are far from unusual. Sometimes it is the schools that organize the trip, other times parents. The law is clear, it says that trips as part of the teaching must be free. But it often happens that trips in practice are part of the teaching, even if they are called voluntary. Let me first say: I get the point. I understand that you would like the children to be able to go on some interesting academic program in a somewhat routine school day. I understand that you want to give the children experiences together with their classmates. I also understand that you principals feel pressure to offer something exciting, and that eager staff and parents have good ideas. But still: Can’t everyone join the trip? No? Then drop it. The pleasant or professionally useful experiences for those who have the money to participate can never outweigh how crushing it is for her who has to stay behind. Who are left alone and see on social media how much fun the others are having. Who get to hear from the rest of the class what they have done afterwards. But who are not allowed to participate in those conversations. Politicians talk a lot about outsiders and inclusion in party speeches. Something more concrete outside than a child who is left alone when the bus leaves, I struggle to imagine. So even though it would have been great fun with a trip for the sake of togetherness. Or never so important academically. So toughen up. Principals, look at the law, it is crystal clear. It should be free. Parents, imagine if it had been your youngster who was left alone. Because the family car smoked or the electricity bill was so high that there was no money left. It happens to more people than you would think. Especially now that everything is getting more expensive. It is a valuable learning for both students and parents to drop a trip too. The world is not fair, some are struggling with the economy. It also concerns you who have a well-filled wallet. It also has consequences for you and your child that society is as it is. Then we would rather work to ensure that all families with children have a healthy economy. And that the schools have enough resources that they can arrange trips without paying a lot of money themselves. On the way there, there are plenty of more affordable, but still professionally good alternatives with a shorter journey. Like our peace and human rights centres, and other educational schemes linked to historical places in Norway – which also look beyond the world’s development. Then the politicians have to contribute money to keep the prices in such places down. That’s exactly where they have to sharpen up. But the point is: If not everyone can join, it is better that no one goes. The class divisions must be removed from the classrooms.
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