When the students at the intermediate level at Kviteseid school got to see a performance about gender identity and orientation, 7–8 students got an alternative plan. Several parents in Kviteseid did not want their children to participate. Vest-Telemark blad mentioned the case first. The performance “Heart in all colours” is part of the cultural school bag. Screenwriter and storyteller Charlotte Øster has traveled around Norway with the show “Heart in alle fargar”. Here it is held for children in Seljord library. Photo: Drifa Gudmundsdottir The headmaster of the school, Odd-Arne Thorbjørnsen, tells news that he made the decision to give the students an exemption, without this being discussed with anyone. Odd-Arne Torbjørnsen, headmaster at Kviteseid school. Photo: Privat The application from the parents landed on his desk the night before the performance. It was urgent to make a decision, he explains. – It is very clear that they are entitled to exemption based on the way it is formulated in the Education Act. The headmaster notes that the case has caused a lot of unrest. – It has become a bit violent. It has obviously started a big debate, he says. Calls for awareness of exemption In a reader post, the mayor of Kviteseid, Tarjei Draugedal (KrF) has supported that the pupils were given time off. In response, deputy mayor Stian Hauge (Sp) writes a separate reader post. He reacts to the pupils being exempted and thinks they should have seen the performance. Now he is calling for more awareness of what can grant an exemption. – The parents are free to ask for this. What I question is whether the school should just give such an exemption, without any further discussion, says Hauge to news. Stian Hauge (Sp), deputy mayor of Kviteseid. Photo: Privat He believes that the school should have discussed whether the show moved into the practice of religion or whether it was offensive in any way. – How far should we actually go to provide exemptions and alternative teaching? Should we start granting exemptions for fundamental learning areas? Is the theory of evolution in biology class something that can be discussed, or the fact that we are in a climate crisis? The deputy mayor fears that personal preferences are being put before society’s needs for a robust and inclusive education. Such a direction can seem dangerous, he believes. Hauge wants a national debate on the exemption scheme and is challenging the Minister for Knowledge and the government. This is what the Education Act says about exemptions from activities in school: The school must show respect for the students’ and their parents’ religious and philosophical beliefs and ensure the right to equal education. Pupils must, after written notification from their parents, be exempted from those parts of the teaching at the individual school which, based on their own religion or their own outlook on life, they experience as the practice of another religion or adherence to another outlook on life, or which they experience on the same basis as disruptive or offending. Exemption from training on the knowledge content of the various subjects in the curriculum cannot be claimed. If, on such grounds, the school does not accept a notice of exemption, the school must deal with the case according to the rules on individual decisions in the Public Administration Act. Upon notification of an exemption, the school must ensure that the exemption is carried out, and make arrangements to adapt training within the curriculum. Source: Act on primary school and secondary education (Education Act) – Understands that parents don’t think it’s right Many in the village have criticized the school for giving students time off, the mayor says. He himself supports the school’s decision. – Pupils should not be given time off for imparting knowledge in the textbooks, but when things like this come up, they can apply for time off, says Tarjei Draugedal. Tarjei Draugedal (KrF), mayor of Kviteseid. Photo: Telemark KrF – What kind of things are you referring to then? – There are many who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, they can be freed for what they have. Right now it was the performance “Hjarte i alle fargar”, and if parents don’t think that children should be exposed to this, they can apply for time off, he says. – Do you think that as long as the parents disagree with the scheme at the school, the school can grant an exemption? – Yes, I think they should follow the law. The school is completely dependent on a good relationship of trust, regardless of religion and outlook on life, so the school must arrange the teaching so that everyone is satisfied. – When children have to wonder what kind of gender they have and such, I understand that the parents don’t think it’s okay, says the mayor to news. Many in the village have reacted to the school giving the pupils time off from watching the performance “Heart in all colours”. Photo: Kviteseid municipality Performance about falling in love and tolerance According to the description of the performance, queerness is shown as a natural part of the human bouquet, where diversity is a wealth. This is the first time parents have asked for an exemption, explains screenwriter and narrator Charlotte Øster. She has traveled the country with the show. – I find this shocking. What signal does it send out, asks Øster in VTB.
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Pupils did not have to watch a show about queer love – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
