Better funding:The Norwegian Folk High Schools receive 10 mill extra NOK in the 2013 State Budget
*Original article in Norwegian
Tore Skadal, Harstad Tidende (October 8, 2012)
In the 2013 state budget, the Norwegian government has proposed an increase in funding for Folk High Schools due to an increase in the number of students recent years. Folk high schools are a one-year boarding school system based on the idea of learning for life, not only for occupations and college degrees. Students are assessed based on their individual ability to take action and responsibilty for their own lives. Reflection and insight into life’s possibilities and individual wishes are central elements in a year in a Folk High School in Norway.
For more information:
Non-formal Adult Education in the Nordic Countries 2011-2012
Introducing Free Public Cultural Education
Gerhard Flaaten , Kjetil Kopren Ullebø, Bergens Tidende(October 3, 2012)
*Original article in Norwegian
Photo: Agrutxane Concellon
Starting in autumn 2013, there will be one lesson a week of cultural/arts education at primary schools and after-school clubs (years 1-4). The proposed budget for this is NOK 73.8 million. Parliament member Jette F. Christensen points out that lessons will be a full 45 minutes, and that the Ministry of Culture will legislate hours so that these classes become permanent. While those in favor of the plan do not believe it will involve additional work for teachers, Conservative party spokesperson Elisabeth Aspaker (a former teacher) expressed her concern that the municipalities will incorporate arts education with uneven results.
For more information:
Arts and Cultural Education in Norway, a study by Professor Anne Bamford, 2010-2011
International Education News 
Scan of Education News: September 19th – October 7th
Several reports have also shown that many countries have differing opinions about the ease of access to education through testing. While the UK has been debating whether or not it would be “cruel” to make university entrance exams any easier, India has taken steps to ease the entry process. Ultimately, the UK decided to replace the GCSEs with an English Baccalaureate Certificate that officials say will raise standards and streamline a overly complicated system. In a similar move, South Korea adopted a new English-language exam (NEAT), which they intend to use in place of the American TOEFL exam in the college application process in 2013.
Meanwhile, countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia have been looking for ways to make school curricula more creative and interesting to students, in a move they believe will foster higher order thinking and cut down on test-prep approaches to schooling. Sweden is going so far as to rethink school building design in an effort to promote collaboration and creativity in primary school students, while South Korea is implementing policy that aims to prevent excessive “prior learning,” or tutoring, sought by parents in an effort to make sure their children are well-prepared for upcoming high-stakes tests. The high standards that many countries have put in place to promote academic achievement have led countries such as Romania and Switzerland to seek vocational alternatives to higher education.
For more news related to educational policy and change around the world, please follow us by subscribing to our email updates, following us on Twitter, or “liking” us on Facebook.
Leave a comment
Posted in About K-12 International Education News, Newspaper Articles, Opinion/Commentary
Tagged curricular reform, standards, teacher shortage, test prep