Every year, Langeland school in Stord in Vestland organizes a class trip for the 7th graders at the school. A trip where the school only covers part of the costs. The trip is financed by parents baking pizza balls which the pupils sell at school, but this is where the problem started. Because when the parents started making lists of who should bake, the State Administrator intervened. The school was informed that there is a breach of the free principle in the public primary school. – In our opinion, this organization creates pressure to contribute, writes section leader Mats Petter Sydengen. The free principle in the Education Act § 2-15 Pupils have the right to free public primary school education. The municipality cannot demand that the pupils or parents cover expenses in connection with primary school education, for example expenses for teaching materials, transport during school hours, camp school stays, excursions or other trips that are part of primary school education. Breach of the law The background for the inspection was tips from parents who felt pressured to bake. They had to pay for the ingredients themselves, and the expenses came to around NOK 300. The state administrator agrees on this. The list was not based on parents signing up voluntarily. “Nor have we received information that the parents are informed that they can refrain from baking if they wish,” the decision states. Newspaper Sunnhordland has written several stories about the dispute surrounding the pizza buns. Langeland school is located in Stord municipality in Vestland. Photo: Stord municipality The school and the parents stated that it is entirely voluntary who will bake. And that pizza balls that are not baked are not in demand. But this is not enough, according to the State Administrator, who did not emphasize whether there will be sanctions if the parents do not bake. “The decisive thing, in our opinion, is that the organization of the fundraiser ensures that parents feel pressured to contribute.” Sydengen says the regulations are clear. – It is allowed to give gifts and it is allowed to volunteer to finance school trips, but it must be voluntary. Mats Petter Sydengen is section leader at the State Administrator in Vestland. Photo: The State Administrator in Vestland – We thought we had control The trip is organized and arranged by the parents, but takes place during school hours – and teachers are involved. The principal at Langeland school, Anita Eriksen, says both the school and the parents thought the baking was done in the right way. – We are positive that the State Administrator looks after us, but thought we had control over the organization and processes around this. Even after the State Administrator established supervision, the practice of the lists continued. – This is because the Parent Council’s Work Committee (FAU) was confident that the meeting had been done in a democratic and fair manner. Only when the decision came did FAU choose to change the routines. – Most people thought it was a good way we did it before. But the most important thing is that we can continue with this, says manager Mone Nilsen. Head of FAU, Mone Nilsen, says the most important thing is that the trips for the students can continue. Photo: Mone Nilsen Changing the routines FAU will now create a letter where parents must sign up for the pizza bun baking, and it will be emphasized more strongly that it is voluntary. No lists will be made of who will bake, but every home that participates will receive an individual message from the class contact. In this way, the registration will be anonymous. – The most important thing is that we can continue with this. It is an important social outing for the grade which has become a fine tradition, and which the youngest pupils look forward to. The state administrator is satisfied with the changes the school has made. “Based on these circumstances, we find that the notified order is correct. We are therefore closing the inspection.”
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Parents promised to bake pizza balls for school trips – news Vestland
