– In my world, this seems absolutely unbelievable, I cannot understand that they could do this to Mariel in particular, says mother Line Charlotte Rolfsnes. Because the school she thought she was going to was replaced by one she never applied for. Mariel will start upper secondary school in the autumn. She has Down’s syndrome, and therefore has extra need for security and accommodation. Mariel actually wanted to go to Fyllingsdalen high school in Bergen. There go, and a large part of her friends will go next year. In addition, she could attend music, dance and drama, which she loves to do. Line Charlotte Rolfsnes has received a lot of support after she published a Facebook post about the situation. She is very touched by all the support she and her family have received. Photo: Oda Marie Rønning / news Havnet at a completely different school Rolfsnes says that at a meeting with the school in May, they received verbal confirmation that Mariel had entered the so-called “dream school”. She believes that the school has confirmed this several times later. Mariel cheered and was very happy. In the time since, they have planned and prepared her for the new school. But when an e-mail arrived welcoming Mariel to the transfer meeting at Årstad upper secondary school, it caused great confusion. Because she hadn’t applied there. – Then I think “huh, this must be wrong”. We have not applied to Årstad. We have not visited the school. We have not had that as an option. No one has talked about Årstad, she says. – Feeling the security under your feet is gone They sent an e-mail to the school to make them aware of the mistake, but it turned out that it wasn’t a mistake at all. The intake office had transferred Mariel to Årstad, without any warning or explanation. – When I got confirmation on Monday that it was not a mistake, then you feel that the security that is under your feet is gone, says Rolfsnes. Årstad is one of the largest upper secondary schools in Bergen, with over 1,000 students. Mariel doesn’t know anyone there. If she is given no other options, she will not start upper secondary school in the autumn. – That won’t happen, then we’ll have her at home. We cannot risk Mariel’s psychosocial health. We cannot risk her development, so we cannot say yes to that school, says Rolfsnes. Mariel was very much looking forward to starting Fyllingsdalen upper secondary school. Photo: Oda Marie Rønning / news In a post on Facebook, the parents express great frustration at the situation they now find themselves in. Rolfsnes is very moved by the support she has received following the publication. In three days, the post has been shared over 1,600 times, and liked by just as many. news has contacted Fyllingsdalen upper secondary school. Rector Trond Botnen will not comment on the case when news makes contact, but will refer the matter to the county council. Not a guaranteed school, but an education program Øivind Høines, section manager for admissions in Vestland, says he can only comment on the case in general, and that they cannot comment on individual cases. The way admission to upper secondary schools works, priority is given to students with preferential rights first. Mariel is such a student, as she needs tailored teaching. In Vestland, this applies to 399 pupils. – This year, earlier than in other years, we have gone out to the schools with lists of students for this admission, where we have said that it is likely that the students on the lists will come to you. This means that the schools have been able to inform parents, says Høines. Øivind Høines says that the information meeting itself does not have much to say about the allocation of space. Throughout the process, it helps to assist them in relation to the interpretation of the documentation that accompanies the application. Photo: Jan Børge Leirvik / news Admissions manager: – Very regrettable. He clarifies that an information meeting also exists for the schools, so that they can get to know the students and their needs, before they report back to the admissions office. – If someone at an information meeting feels that they have received some kind of assurance that they have been accepted, it is deeply regrettable, says Høines. This is because you have the right to one of three education programmes, not necessarily the right to a place at the exact school you apply to. This was new for Rolfsnes and his family. – I understand that they are not a guaranteed school, but then I think that they should go into the rules and look at it. For students with special needs, the school itself, and the environment and the students who go to that particular school, are much more important than it is for others who may have a much larger network. She emphasizes that children with special needs must be taken care of and provided for. – Getting the feeling that you have to fight for every single thing, it’s quite tiring. Shouldn’t the public take care of everyone? I think that is an important discussion to have as well.
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Mariel has Down syndrome – is sent to a different primary school than the one she applied for in order to receive adapted teaching – news Vestland
