Norwegian Educational System
PRIMARY AND LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION
children aged 6 to15, 1st to 10th grade, In addition, there are special schools for children with special educational needs. Municipalities are required to offer day care facilities from 1st grade to 4th grade.
UPPER SECONDARY Education: provides three years of general
education or vocational training after the 10th year of lower secondary
education. The norm for apprenticeship training is two years of vocational
training in upper secondary education followed by one or two years of
practical training in industry.
School subjects at primary and lower secondary levels
Christian knowledge and religious and ethical education
Norwegian
Mathematics
Social Studies
Art and Crafts
Science and the Environment
English (is compulsory from the primary level)
Music
Home Economics
Physical Education
Compulsory additional subjects
In addition, time is set aside at all levels for School’s and pupils’ options. These hours are taken from the teaching hours allocated to the main levels. A separate quota of hours is allocated to class and pupils` council work at the lower secondary level. At the lower and upper primary levels, it is possible for schools to allocate a quota of hours locally for this purpose from the hours allocated to other subjects.
In addition to the compulsory subjects, pupils are required to choose one of the following options:
Second foreign language. Pupils can choose a foreign language in addition to English, i.e. German or French or another language on the basis of local or regional needs.
Supplementary language study. Pupils can choose additional in-depth study of a language they already have a basic knowledge of.
Practical project work. This is an activity that is planned in cooperation with the pupils.
Adjusted gross expenditure on primary and lower secondary school,
per pupil 83 426
The primary education number of teaching hours are 686 in Norway, in the category of Fewest hours, at least 10% below average: ≤ 746.
In primary education the teacher is on average at a 1/15 ratio with students
The average primary teachers salary is 22,195$, the #8 ranked country on nationmasters.com
All children must attend school for 10 years, all public/primary schools are free.
School year: mid August to late June
Primary school (Barneskole, grades 1–7, age 6–13)
In the first year of primary school, the students are mostly playing educational games, learning social structures, learning the alphabet, basic addition and subtraction, and basic English skills. In grades 2 through 7 (years 3–8 or P3/4-S2/3), they are introduced to maths, English, Norwegian, science, religion, esthetics and gymnastics, complemented by geography, history, and social studies in the fifth grade (year 6 or P6/7). No official grades are given at this level, however, the teacher often writes a comment – analysis and sometimes an unofficial grade on tests. Tests are to be taken home and shown to parents. They also have an introductory test to let teacher know if the student is above the grade average or is in need of some assistance at school.
Lower secondary school (Ungdomsskole, grades 8-10, age 13-16)
When the students enter lower secondary school, at age 12 or 13, they begin getting grades for their work. Their grades together with their location in the country will determine whether they get accepted at their high school of choice or not. From the eighth grade (Yr 9 or S3/4), the students can choose one elective (valgfag).
A student may take the Grade 10 exam in a particular subject however early as long as he or she has been granted an exemption from further instruction in the elementary/middle school curriculum of that subject.
15 yr olds In mathematics, however, the top scoring 10% were estimated to lag 3 years behind the top scoring students in Shanghai.
ducational qualifications : In order to procure a job in the above listed posts you need to have a minimum graduation license. You need to have a childhood license if you are applying for the post of Pre -school Teachers.
Other requirements : The applicants in general must be native Norwegian speaker. They should have specialization in Norwegian languages. In addition to that they are required to speak fluent English. The candidates must have good numerical skills and an ability to teach the pupils with a lot of patience. TEFL teachers can be overseas candidates but then also they must know adequate English. The candidates are expected to have exposure to IB.
Work experience : In all the areas at least 2-3 years of work experience is required. More years of experience in the relevant fields is really rewarding.
Working hours : Norway working hours start from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. Some organizations may start from 7.00am to 3.00 while some others have a start time from 9.00 to 5.00 pm. You need to work for 5 days a week.
Other benefits : You are entitled for 25 leaves every year as per Norway's “Annual Holiday Act”. Generally, there are overtime payments for work exceeding 40 hours per week. However this is applicable if you are really asked by your institution to work overtime.
