Ministry of Education and Research

Latest from Ministry of Education and Research

1. Public consultation14 Oct 2026

   Ministry proposes cutting the folk high school grant share from 40 to 15 percent and widening means-test exemptions

   • The Ministry of Education wants to change the rules for student support. The deadline for responses is 15 January 2027. The rules are to apply from 15 April 2027 and take effect in the 2027–2028 school year (15 August 2027). The proposals build on the 2027 state budget.
   • Folk high schools: today 40 percent of the basic loan becomes a grant (a gift) if the pupil completes the year. The proposal cuts this to 15 percent, the same as for studies that do not lead to a degree. Folk high school pupils take no exams and earn no credits, yet get as much as those completing a degree.
   Higher educationLegislationStudent finance
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2. Press release14 Oct 2026

   Absence in upper secondary fell sharply after new rules – median down from 5 to 3 days

   • Upper secondary students are absent less. Median absence fell from 5.3 to 4.4 percent. Day absence dropped from 5 to 3 days, while hourly absence rose from 20 to 22 hours. It is the first drop since the pandemic.
   • The cause is new rules. GP visits now count like self-certified absence until a student reaches the ten percent limit. Absence is down both overall and on diplomas, so students really are at school more.
   Children and youthPrimary physicianSchool
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3. Public consultation12 Oct 2026

   12-month interest write-off proposed for students of bankrupt flight school, plus clean-up of student-finance regulations

   • The Ministry of Education wants to change two regulations on student finance. The changes would apply from 1 January 2027. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 23 November 2026.
   • Main proposal: Students who took the extra loan for pilot training and had to quit because the school went bankrupt would have their interest written off for 12 months. The 12 months start when the school filed for insolvency (asked to be placed under bankruptcy proceedings).
   AviationHigher educationLegislation
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4. Press release7 Oct 2026

   2027 state budget proposes science and technology push, including NOK 295 million for quantum technology

   • The government wants to give NOK 120 million to other ways of entering three-year engineering studies, like preparatory courses and the Y-route. These are for people without upper-secondary science or with vocational training. Experience shows more people get in and most finish.
   • NOK 295 million is proposed for equipment and test facilities for quantum technology (new technology based on quantum physics). Some money may fund a Nordic centre for quantum sensors.
   Higher educationScienceVocational education
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5. Budget7 Oct 2026

   Detailed 2027 budget proposal for the Ministry of Education emphasizing education quality, research excellence, and workforce competence

   • The Ministry of Education proposes a NOK 162.7 billion budget for 2027 focusing on education, research, and skills development.
   • Funding increases are allocated to primary and secondary schools, vocational education, universities, and research projects in key areas.
   Higher educationKindergartenSchool
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6. News article7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes legally requiring small-group teaching in grades 1–2 and scrapping the statutory homework help requirement

   • From the 2027/2028 school year, the government wants a law saying municipalities must use small groups for part of reading, writing and maths teaching in grades 1 and 2.
   • The 2027 state budget proposes NOK 465 million for more teachers. The money is earmarked (it can only be used for this) and comes on top of the teacher-ratio norm (the rule on how many teachers there must be per pupil). It goes to grades 1, 2, 5 and 8, where pupils move to a new stage of school.
   Children and youthLegislationMunicipalities
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7. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Kindergarten maximum price frozen at NOK 1,200 per month in 2027

   • The government wants to keep the highest price for a kindergarten place at NOK 1,200 a month in 2027. This costs the state NOK 105.8 million.
   • In remote areas (centrality zones 5 and 6) the price is NOK 700 a month. In Nord-Troms and Finnmark, kindergarten stays free.
   Children and youthFamilyKindergarten
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8. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes NOK 20.9 million in the 2027 budget for a new digital learning system in prisons

   • The government proposes in the 2027 state budget to spend NOK 20.9 million on a new digital learning system in prisons.
   • The current digital tools are old. They do not meet the needs of good teaching or inmates' right to education.
   DigitalisationPrisonSchool
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9. Public consultation7 Oct 2026

   Amendment to Education Acts: Mandatory Small Group Teaching for Grades 1-2 and Elimination of Homework Help Duty

   • The government proposed in October 2026 that all grade 1 and 2 students receive small group instruction to improve key skills.
   • Municipalities and private schools will no longer be required to provide free homework help, which has had limited effect and reduced participation.
   Children and youthLegislationSchool
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10. Strategy6 Oct 2026

    Ny-Ålesund enhanced as a Norwegian-led international research hub with strict environmental, transparency, and security standards

    • The 2026 updated strategy sets new rules for research in Ny-Ålesund to support national goals and security.
    • Ny-Ålesund has a unique Arctic environment used for research focusing on quality, ethics, and data sharing via a digital registry (RiS portal).
    ClimateNational securityNature
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