Norway's Conservative Party (Høyre) is preparing a dramatic overhaul of its education platform ahead of a critical national convention in February. The party's parliamentary education spokesperson, Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde, has led a review that delivers a stark verdict on their own recent policy. "We have been too vague in our school policy," Tybring-Gjedde stated. "It has also not been relevant enough for the concerns and debates teachers have had in the staff room, and which parents and pupils have had at the kitchen table at home. We are changing that now." This internal reckoning follows a disappointing election result and the loss of perceived ownership over education policy to the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet).
A Policy Reset After Electoral Setback
The move for a comprehensive new policy resolution, known as a stor-resolusjon, comes after a difficult period for Høyre. The party failed to unseat Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's Labour-led government in the 2023 election and was also outpaced on the right by the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet). Analysis showed Høyre had lost its traditional stronghold on education as a political issue, a significant blow for a party that has long championed academic standards and teacher authority. Tybring-Gjedde's work signals a direct response to this failure, aiming to reconnect with core voters and educators who felt the party's message had grown stale or disconnected from daily classroom realities.
From 'Extra Hour' to Core Fundamentals
A central part of the critique focuses on Høyre's flagship 2023 election pledge: one extra hour of school per week. Tybring-Gjedde now characterizes this policy as poorly communicated and missing the mark. "The goal for Høyre was never one hour in itself, but that pupils should get more time with their teacher for play-based learning. We did not get that message across," she explained. With many municipalities now cutting school budgets, teachers feeling isolated, and concerns over literacy and numeracy skills, Tybring-Gjedde argues the priority list has shifted. "Then it is not one extra hour that is highest on our priority list." The new direction will de-emphasize such singular metrics in favor of a broader back-to-basics philosophy.
The New Pillars: Books, Mastery, and Teacher Authority
The emerging policy framework rests on several concrete pillars designed to be more tangible than previous proposals. First is a commitment to physical learning tools. "We will take the school back to its roots. Pupils shall learn to read, write, and do arithmetic with physical books," Tybring-Gjedde said. This represents a clear stance against perceived over-reliance on digital devices in early education. Second is a focus on resilience and achievement. Pupils should "train endurance and experience moments of mastery in everyday school life." The third, and perhaps most significant pillar, is restoring teacher command. "Teachers shall be the boss in the classroom and have time to teach." This directly addresses widespread concerns over classroom discipline, teacher workload, and professional autonomy.
Confronting a Changing School Environment
The revised policy also aims to tackle modern challenges head-on. Tybring-Gjedde explicitly mentions violence and threats as unacceptable, pointing to growing reports of behavioral issues in schools. The emphasis on teacher authority is a direct response to this. Furthermore, the promise to make policy relevant to "kitchen table debates" suggests a focus on parental concerns like foundational skills, screen time, and student well-being. By tying the policy update explicitly to the concerns of teachers, parents, and pupils, Høyre hopes to demonstrate it is listening more closely than its rivals. The challenge will be translating these principles into specific, actionable proposals that differ meaningfully from other parties' platforms.
The Political Battle for Norway's Classrooms
This internal reset occurs within a highly competitive political landscape. Labour currently controls the Education Ministry, and the Progress Party is aggressively courting discontented voters on issues like discipline and academic rigor. Høyre's strategy appears to be a return to its ideological core: clear standards, traditional methods, and strong institutional authority. The success of this recalibration is crucial for the party's future. Education remains a potent electoral issue in Norway, touching on national competitiveness, equality of opportunity, and community values. Regaining the trust of teachers and parents is not just about one policy area; it is about demonstrating the party's overall relevance and competence.
A Test for the Upcoming Leadership Convention
The February national convention will not only debate this school policy resolution but also elect a new party leadership. This timing is not coincidental. The policy overhaul offers a chance for the party to present a renewed, unified face to the public. It allows incoming leaders to champion a fresh, substantive agenda from day one. The reception from delegates and, subsequently, the public will be a key indicator of whether Høyre can effectively diagnose its own weaknesses and present a compelling alternative. The party must convince voters it has learned from its electoral "nedtur" (downturn) and is now firmly anchored in the practical realities of Norwegian schools.
The Road Ahead: From Resolution to Reality
Drafting a popular resolution is one thing; converting it into political momentum is another. Høyre will need to articulate how its back-to-basics approach differs from simplistic nostalgia. It must provide credible answers on funding, teacher training, and support for struggling students. The party will also have to navigate Norway's decentralized education system, where municipalities hold significant power. Can Høyre's national policy effectively influence local decisions in Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim? The answer will determine whether this policy reset remains a document for party activists or becomes a blueprint for the next Conservative-led government. For now, the message from Youngstorget is clear: the old playbook is closed, and a more direct conversation about Norway's classrooms has begun.