The Norwegian government wants to reduce scholarship funding for students attending folk high schools. The proposal would cut the grant portion from 40% to 15% of student support.
This change aims to save nearly 100 million kroner. The funds would then support defense and healthcare initiatives instead.
Anne Tingelstad Wøien leads the Norwegian Folk High School Council. She says many people feel betrayed by this decision.
Nearly 30,000 people signed a protest petition within days of the budget announcement.
Wøien predicts enrollment drops could force school closures. A 10% student reduction might close eight schools and endanger fourteen others. A 30% decline could shutter thirty-four institutions.
Folk high schools are unique Nordic institutions offering gap year and adult education programs. They emphasize personal development rather than academic testing.
Ole Karsten Birkeland directs Sogndal Folk High School. He argues these schools strengthen local communities across Norway.
The government saves very little money with these cuts, Birkeland notes. He calls the savings insignificant compared to the potential damage.
Education Ministry State Secretary Sindre Lysø defended the proposal. He says students will receive the same total funding, just with smaller scholarship portions.
The government claims this restructuring creates budget flexibility for other priorities.
Local communities nationwide now worry about losing their folk high schools. These institutions often serve as cultural hubs in smaller towns.
This represents another example of budget priorities shifting from education to other sectors. The actual impact will depend on how many students choose folk high schools under the new funding model.