– If you are going to teach at a small school, you must have expertise in many subjects, says principal Elisabeth Sunde Andenæs at Nordstranda school in Gloppen. Here, 15 teachers must cover all aspects of teaching. Finding people with the right combination of subjects is difficult – especially for the lower levels. – You may not have the breadth needed to teach in grades 1 to 5, says the principal. Struggling to recruit Nordstranda skule is by no means alone. Many schools in the district are struggling to recruit primary school teachers. This means that many teachers lack competence in the subject they teach, shows a recent report from the Directorate for Higher Education and Competence. The report shows that 4 out of 10 municipalities stated in a survey last year that it is very or quite challenging to recruit teachers for all levels of primary school. There was a sharp increase compared to the corresponding survey two years earlier. The recruitment challenges are greatest for primary schools from first to fourth grade in smaller schools and schools in the districts. Lack of competence in food and health, KRLE and English In the old general teacher education, students gained competence in almost all subjects. Teacher training has changed dramatically. Already in 2008, the Stoltenberg 2 government thought that the education was too broad to give the students the necessary academic and pedagogical competence. “Such a broad competence does not allow for the professional deepening that the school needs”, it was stated in a report to the Storting at the time. From 2017, primary school teacher training became five-year master’s degree training for all. Now there are mainly three subjects in primary school education and two subjects for lecturers. Especially in Northern Norway and Western Norway, many schools have trouble filling their classrooms with qualified labour. – In practical-aesthetic subjects, food and health, KRLE and English, there are high proportions of teachers who teach without having teaching skills, says head of department Stig Helge Pedersen for analysis, evaluation and research in the directorate. Many teachers teach food and health, KRLE and English without teaching skills, says head of department Stig Helge Pedersen in the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Photo: Privat – The general teacher is on the way out The fact that fewer people want to become teachers and specialize in these subjects does not make matters any better. This means that several educations reduce the offer. The negative spiral is thus underway. But there are still many general teachers left, who can step in where needed. It is the largest group in the school. But gradually as the new primary and master’s education is delivered by teachers in the school, they will take over. – With today’s model, the general teacher is on the way out, says Pedersen. Many schools in the district struggle to recruit primary school teachers, shows a report from the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Photo: Håkon Vatnar Olsen / news Dusting off the “general teacher” Schools and municipalities all over the country have expressed that current education is not a good fit. Therefore, a trial project will start next year. The Grisgrend university at Nesna will precisely tailor teachers for the district. They have been allowed to have teacher training for grades 1 to 10 with several subjects. If it is successful, the education can be expanded. It is the politicians who decide what teacher training should be like. – Universities and colleges must prioritize teacher training. It is important that they maintain a wide range of subjects, so that we can train the teachers we need for schools all over the country, says Research and Higher Education Minister Oddmund Hoel (Sp). Research and Higher Education Minister Oddmund Hoel (Sp) believes that a wide range of subjects is important, so that we get the teachers we need for schools all over the country. Photo: Hanna Johre / news Published 06.12.2024, at 19.54
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