Gino wanted to quit school – now he has two diplomas and a job – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio

At a food court in the center of Rjukan, the 27-year-old is doing the afternoon shift. The telemarking has been to and from both school and work, but here he has found himself at home. – The road has been very long. There have been illnesses, downs and ups. But I’ve had good help from friends to find a job and other things, Gino Valen says as he stands over the pots. He dreamed of becoming a butler and had high expectations for himself, but in his head most of it was just a mess. – I didn’t believe in myself. I spent a long time at school and almost dropped out. Much of the reason was illness and depression. – And then maybe the doctors lost faith that I would make it through school, since I was on such strong medication and that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the lessons. Pressure was put on For he was helped a more organized scheme at school, with longer time on education. In the end, he was left with two vocational certificates, chef and waiter. – The decisive factor for me was teachers and openness about what one struggles with. He also highlights the fact that demands are made. – I told my employer that I didn’t want to finish my apprenticeship because I felt I couldn’t do it. They said no, that I had to try harder. – The decisive thing was that people accepted me and that they pushed me. That they were a bit strict. I think that was important. You have to be strict with those who might struggle a little, says Gino Valen. Gino Valen now has two diplomas. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news The number of “dropouts” is increasing again But not all students can withstand the pressure of school. After several years of a decline in the number of students leaving secondary school, the arrows are now pointing upwards in Norway, figures from the Directorate of Education show. In the years during the corona pandemic, the proportion of students who quit was actually lower than in previous years. Until the school year that ended last summer. – We don’t know why it is like this, says department director in the Directorate of Education, Irene Hilleren. One hypothesis they have is that fewer people quit during the corona pandemic because a temporary exception to the absence rules was introduced. When the absence limit was reintroduced, the proportion who quit during the school year increased. – This is a development we will follow in the future, to see if the number returns to a more normal level next year, says Hilleren. She points out that not all young people who leave school are inactive. Some people quit because they want to work. – Of the young people between 16 and 24 who do not go to further education, or have not completed further education, about half are in work. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news



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