Lea Kristin Larsen (15) is in her last year at Bankgata secondary school in Bodø, and has never had an exam. But this year she won’t escape, despite the fact that she has barely been to school. – It’s pretty crazy. This was to be the first normal year. The strike creates a gap between the students who receive education and those who do not. Some have full school. Lea Kristin Larsen has only had French lessons since the summer holidays. Now the French teacher has also gone on strike. Lea Kristine Larsen outside the school she has barely been inside since the summer holidays. Now she hopes the strike will soon be over. Photo: Dina Jeanette Danielsen / news The neighbors get more education In the neighboring municipality of Fauske, they have had education since day one after the summer holidays. The students who go here and in Bodø often compete to get into the same upper secondary schools. – We are a bit ahead of the others, but at the same time it is a bit awkward when we see that the others are at home. But at the end of the year, we are the ones who reap the benefits, says Ellinor Solvang (14). – Do you wish you had a few weeks off? – Of course you would want that, at least at the start. But now that it has been going on for a month, it is good to know that we are getting the learning we need and a more careful review, says Sara Reinholdtsen (15). – Do you think it will be decisive when you apply for school next year? – I think that depends on how the exam turns out this year, but it is likely that we will get a small advantage, says Reinholdtsen. Sara Reinholdtsen (15) and Ellinor Solvang (14) go to Vestmyra school in Fauske, and are in their last year of secondary school. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Competitive advantage Lea Kristine Larsen makes the most of her downtime. – I walk my dog, I’m with friends and I cook some dinner at home. Otherwise, I watch series and such. At the same time, she feels stress and nervousness. Those who receive tuition will have a competitive advantage when the exam, which is the same for everyone, is to be held later in the autumn. – I’m starting to get a little nervous, a little stressed that we’re missing out on so much. Especially since I’m in the tenth grade. Now the grades matter. At Vestmyra secondary school in Fauske, they have had full lessons since the start of the school year. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news – Turns out skewed – We who have children who are the hardest hit, are terribly worried about the consequences this has for the children. The timing is disastrous. It could hardly have been worse. These students have been sitting at home on and off for two years and had limited schooling, very little social interaction and the last thing they need now is to sit at home for several weeks. Stine Eidissen Bya is a communications adviser in the Nordland police district, but primarily worries about her mother. Recently, she wrote a reader’s post in Avisa Nordland. CONCERNED: Stine Eidissen Bya believes the strike has reached the breaking point for the students. Photo: Nadia Norskott She herself has a 15-year-old who must have passing grades in all subjects, as well as an 11-year-old who recently also became a homemaker. – Our 15-year-old has lost 10 per cent of the school year, and there is already quite a lot of pressure on the syllabus in the last year. It is an extremely important year for them. When they then also have to compete with those who are not affected by the strike, it becomes terribly difficult and unfair. Those with the best average can choose first which upper secondary school they will attend. – For the students, it turns out incredibly lopsided. Fear of grades Julie Gondek (15) goes to Hunstad secondary school in Bodø, which is on the other side of town. She is also one of many who lost a lot of teaching due to the corona pandemic. Now she is afraid of doing badly in the exam. The average from secondary school is used to apply to the upper secondary school you wish to attend. – I feel that we have learned less than we should. What if I come up with something I haven’t learned? If I do poorly, it could affect my choice in high school. – We have lost quite a lot of the syllabus in eighth and ninth, which affects the tenth class, and now there is a strike. There is a lot of pressure on the exam and those of us who have lost a lot of the syllabus, says Julia Gondek (15). Photo: Ingrid Gulbrandsen Årdal / news – Measures must be taken Leader of the Student Organization, Aslak Husby, has previously told news that they support the teachers’ strike. The leader of the Education Association in Bodø is happy about that. – We are very happy that we have great support from the people. We have not received feedback from angry parents. At the same time, we understand that the strike is taking its toll. I myself have a daughter who was due to start high school this autumn. She has almost no teaching, says Trond Are Fjordtun in the Education Association. And adds: – We ask for your understanding that the strike we are taking now is not just for our wallets. There is also a strike for recruitment and quality in the classroom for students. And for the school of the future. But the student leader shares the concerns of the students. Photo: Eivind Lotsberg / Pupil organization Husby believes that measures must be taken if the strike becomes prolonged. – Then the schools must ensure that they can map and adapt the situation and be able to offer training that takes account of the situation the pupils have been through. He also wants a survey of the pupils’ mental health, he tells NTB. But emphasizes that the organization does not want a forced wage board.
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The school strike creates a knowledge gap between students – Can be an advantage for exams – news Nordland
