Students not testing well
Norwegian teenagers aren't doing very well in school, compared to their counterparts in more than 50 other countries around the world. Norwegian students aren't reading or understanding math and science as well as their peers in other countries. PHOTO: ILLUSTRATION /BJØRN SIGURDSØN/SCANPIX |
Norwegian students ranked 29th, for example, among students in 53 countries who were tested on their knowledge of natural science.
That puts Norway below average on the list of participating countries, all of which are attached to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development).
Around 400,000 15-year-old students in 57 OECD countries were given a two-hour test called PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) in the spring of 2006. The results left Finland in the top spot for the third time in a row, followed by Hong Kong and Canada.
The PISA test is billed by OECD as "the most comprehensive and rigorous international yardstick of secondary-school students' attainments."
Earlier tests in 2000 and 2003 focused on reading skills and math respectively, while the 2006 test measured how much students knew about science and their ability to use scientific knowledge.
Norway's 29th place was a big disappointment to state officials who have crowed about efforts to make Norwegian schools the best in the world. The government minister currently in charge of education, Bård Vergar Solhjell, called it "a serious challenge."
'Follow Finland's example'
He wouldn't place blame, but said "we can't accept that a fifth of Norwegian students are such poor readers that they have major problems understanding information." He said Norway needs to follow Finland's example, "and put more emphasis on teaching the youngest children, including paying attention to language development in day care centers."
Norwegian students scored high in measuring their enjoyment of school, but many complained over a lack of order and too much noise in the classroom. Others urged a return to traditional classroom learning, as opposed to the independent study programs launched as a part of education reform in the 1990s.
"Researchers have pointed out that there is too much other activity in Norwegian schools," said Helga Hjetland, leader of the state education association Utdanningsforbundet. "The schools are packed full of everything from conflict resolution to anti-bullying campaigns to health campaigns," Hjetland said, and perhaps not enough basic teaching.
Liv Berit Tessem
Ingeborg Moe
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund
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