On Thursday morning there is a demonstration train in Sarpsborg. Several hundred pupils and teachers gave themselves absences in order to protest against the cuts in the upper secondary schools in Østfold. – This is not democratic, shouts student council leader Julie Vonen Svae from the podium. The target for the demonstration is the county hall, where the county director is ready with his recommendation on what should be cut. Towards 2028, it is estimated that Østfold County Council will have to cut NOK 167 million in upper secondary education. In the center of Sarpsborg, over a thousand students from all over Østfold have gathered to demonstrate against school cuts in the county. – It is nothing new that it is the pupils who are sacrificed on the county council’s altar. Do we really have to lose every game when it is our future that is the main gain of the game? That’s what Amalie Kvernstuen, student council leader at Glemmen upper secondary school says. Two upper secondary schools in danger A little after 11.00 on Thursday, the county director of Østfold county municipality, Solveig Helene Olsen, will present what few in the county wanted to hear. Namely that several schools and several educational programs in the county will be closed. The county director’s recommendation will be the guide for both the consultation round and for the politicians who have the last word. These are the most dramatic cuts that are on the table before the setting: Close Borg upper secondary school Close Greåker or Kalnes upper secondary school In addition, a number of educational programs will be closed at the other upper secondary schools in Østfold. Silje Selenius Måleng (16) and Oscar Kollegård (16) go to Kalnes high school. They hope the county council does not move to close their school. Photo: Tomas Berger / news Several students held an appeal outside Østfold County Hall in Sarpsborg. Among others, Greåker pupil Aurora Celine Grønli. Also Helene, student council leader at Kalnes upper secondary school, has turned up to demonstrate against the cut proposals. Photo: Tomas Berger / news – More people will switch to private schools, says Greåker pupil Aurora Celine Grønli, who is one of the many who have turned up to demonstrate against the cuts. Photo: Tomas Berger / news Pupils write with chalk on the asphalt with a message against closing secondary schools. – We have several lines that will be cut down, or lines that will then be removed. The consequence could be that we lose several good lines, for which we actually have a lot of good applicants, but that the politicians don’t know what it’s all about, says Svea. Have to cut NOK 167 million It has been almost two weeks since the county council put forward two comprehensive solution options for how the cuts could be implemented. Borg high school in Sarpsborg was included in both proposals for cuts. Borg upper secondary school in Sarpsborg houses around 500 pupils, and is in danger of being closed down. Photo: Philip A. Johannesborg Borg VGS is a school with around 500 pupils. The school has per today there is a need for maintenance and investment of NOK 249 million, figures from the county council show. It is expected that Østfold County Council will run a large deficit in the coming years. It has therefore been decided to cut NOK 167 million within schools and training. The county council hopes to be able to save around 100 teaching man-years from the cuts. This will primarily be done through employees who retire in the coming years. The final decision will be taken by county politicians at the beginning of December. The way forward for school cuts In June, the process of finding out how Østfold County Municipality should spend NOK 167 million within schools and education by 2028. Solveig Helene Olsen, the county director of Østfold County Municipality, presents her proposal on where, what and how the cuts in upper secondary schools can is carried out. The proposal is also put out for external consultation. By this date, the appointment to the county council director will have undergone several hearings in order to collect input and the possible consequences of the cuts. Up to this point, several councils and tribunals have dealt with the matter. It is in the main committee for education and industry that the politicians will first consider the matter. Here the county committee will give its recommendation to the county council after hearings and other input. Here the county politicians will make a final decision about what Østfold’s future school structure should be. It is done in the county council. Show more Published 07.11.2024, at 10.23 Updated 07.11.2024, at 10.56
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Destiny day for upper secondary schools in Østfold – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
