– We must have a clear expectation that the students show up. That is why we are continuing the absence limit of 10 per cent, but we are making changes that are more reminiscent of the rules we have in working life, says Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) to Aftenpostenwho first reported the case.
On Thursday, the government came up with the new absence rules in upper secondary schools.
From August next year, sickness absence up to the 10 per cent limit must be reported to the school by the pupil himself. When the absence is up to 10 per cent in a subject, the student must document sickness absence with a certificate from health personnel.
– Clear absence rules
– It is important that students show up at school. It helps them to learn more and better and to take part in the community at school. We must have clear absence rules in Norwegian schools with clear expectations that students will show up, says Nordtun in a press release.
In addition, the absence must only be accounted for at the end of the school year instead of twice during the school year as is the case today.
The government’s aim is that it should be easier for schools, and that this can motivate pupils with high absences at Christmas to reduce their absences in the last half of the school year.
Will ease the GP pressure
Absences must still be recorded on the diploma. Pupils with a chronic illness or ailments that cause a high risk of absence must still be able to use self-report in combination with a doctor’s certificate.
The headmaster must still be able to use his discretion in absences of up to 15 per cent of the number of hours in a subject. Then the student can still get a grade if the reason for the absence makes it clearly unreasonable for the absence limit to apply.
– The measures we are now taking will significantly ease the burden on GPs and ensure that they spend their time on the patients who actually need help. We also prevent the possibility of saving up absences, for example for use during the Russian holiday, says Nordtun.
Read also: Ayat was told she was “too smart” for vocational subjects. Now she fixes heavy vehicles
Read also: Fears increased class separation: – Those who can, pay out of their own pockets (+)
—
Facts about the government’s new absence rules
- Pupils must submit a self-report to the school for sickness absence up to the absence limit of 10 per cent. When pupils have reached the limit of 10 per cent absence in a subject, they must document sickness absence with a certificate from health personnel.
- It will be easier for students to obtain a car driving license by the fact that absences due to theoretical and practical driving tests will be included in the list of exceptions to the absence limit. Today, there are only exceptions for parts of the compulsory driving training.
- In order to simplify and de-bureaucratize, the absence will only be settled at the end of the school year instead of twice during the school year as is the case today. It is easier for the schools and can motivate pupils who have high absences at Christmas to reduce their absences in the summer.
- Certain forms of absence, such as political and religious absence, must still be exempt from the absence limit.
- Absences must still be recorded on the diploma.
- Those who have a chronic illness or ailments that cause a high risk of absence must still be able to use self-reporting in combination with a doctor’s certificate.
- The headmaster must still be able to use his discretion in absences of up to 15 per cent of the number of hours in a subject. Then the student can still get a grade if the reason for the absence makes it clearly unreasonable for the absence limit to apply.
Source: Ministry of Education
—