– The parents must become a party brake. And we in the government are a party brake, says Minister of Knowledge Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) to NTB. Together with Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp), she is now presenting several measures to calm down the Russian celebrations. – It has slipped violently. In recent years, we have seen many examples of many being excluded from the Russian celebration and from the community. We can’t have it that way. We have to do something about that, says Nordtun. She believes that some of the stories from the Russians are downright heartbreaking. – We hear about girls who are judged not to be pretty enough to join a Russian bus. Or that they weigh too much to join. ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL BRAKES: Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) and Kjesti Toppe (Sp) are now presenting several measures to calm down the Russian celebrations. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB Will move the celebration Now the Minister of Education is urging all schools in the country to consider a ban on Russian clothes. – Certain buses, but also several groups without a bus, have jumpers with the names of everyone on the bus, and where not everyone is allowed to join. It does not promote learning and well-being. It creates exclusion, says Nordtun. She points out that the regulations already allow for a ban. – This is a private celebration. But if group sweaters lead to a poorer school environment, the schools have the opportunity to regulate this in their rules of order to promote inclusion. They can refuse students to wear exclusionary clothing when it affects the school environment. I expect this to be done. – And then I would strongly encourage everyone to move the Russian class to after the exam. As it is in all other countries, and as they have also done it in Tromsø, says Nordtun. WILL MOVE THE CELEBRATION: Nordtun will move the Russian time to after the exam. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Starts inspection In the new year, Toppe will commission the Consumer Protection Authority to carry out a special inspection of the players who sell cars, clothes, equipment and other things to Russia. – I get a lot of inquiries from young people themselves, about aggressive and perhaps illegal marketing. They tell of situations where young people are locked into agreements about expensive clothes purchases with secret contracts they cannot get out of. The Russian becomes easy prey for strong commercial companies. This cannot continue, which is why I am announcing increased supervision of the industry, says Toppe. She has fond memories of her own time in Russia, but looks with concern at what has happened in recent years. – It has developed enormously, and many people also spend a lot of money on this, she says. Expensive clothes and expensive equipment She points out that the pressure to buy becomes especially bad during the peak season. – There are parents who are presented with a package that costs a lot of money. And if you don’t buy it, you won’t join the gang, she says. The Minister for Children and Families also encourages parents to follow along. – Now the inspectorate will look at whether illegal or harmful practices are taking place, but we also have to equip the young people themselves to assess their rights and stand up to the pressure they are exposed to, she says. BUYING PRESSURE: Many Russians experience buying pressure. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Starting early The Minister of Education also talks about a pleasant Russian time in Stavanger when she left school. – We didn’t have buses and the like, but some had Russian cars. But my experience was that it was open to everyone, says Nordtun. She feels that what was previously primarily a phenomenon in Bærum and Oslo West, with insanely expensive Russian buses, has now spread throughout the country. – And they start earlier and earlier, preferably in the 8th and 9th grade, to plan and pay in. I heard at the weekend about someone who was going to start paying in NOK 3,000 a month from secondary school onwards, says the Minister of Education. – Have to say no Nordtun believes that both the government, the municipalities and the schools, but also the parents, have a responsibility to ensure that the Russian celebration is inclusive and fun. – As parents, we have an important role. We must get involved in the Russian celebration, we must dare to say no. If we are asked by the 15-year-old to sign expensive bus and car contracts that may even be illegal, then we have to say no. She also encourages the municipalities to take action. – The municipalities can make arrangements for common arenas and meeting places for the Russians. When many municipalities do not do this, in practice they make arrangements for the buses to be the only place where they can be together, says Nordtun.
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– It has slipped violently – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
