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After the government introduced 12 hours of free extra-curricular activities per week for all second-grade students in the autumn, the number of children taking part in extra-curricular activities increased by 13 percentage points. More than nine out of ten second-grade students currently attend
The last two budgets introduced free places at SFO for both Year 1 and Year 2. Next fall, SFO will also be free for grade 3. The investment makes it possible families save around NOK 20 per year per child and is a continuation of the government's investment in after-school care on the Hurdal platform.
New data released by the Norwegian Directorate for Education for the 2023-24 school year shows a new record in participation in extracurricular activities. The greatest increase was recorded among second-grade students.
– We have prioritized free extra-curricular services to equalize social differences and build a stronger school social for all. As a result, many more children are now using SFO. For many parents, price determines whether they will be able to send their children to SFO. Cheaper after-school care helps families with children in financially difficult times, says Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun.
In autumn 2022, the government introduced 12 hours of free extracurricular activities per week for all first-grade students. This led to an increase in the percentage of first-graders attending SFO from 83% to 92%. Currently, SFO's first-grader percentage is 94%. From autumn 2023, all second-grade students can also take part in classes, regardless of their parents' wealth. This also led to a record increase in participation, from 79% to 92%.
Now, free SFO is also available for third-grade students
In the fall, the offer of 12 hours of free after-school care per week will also be extended to third-grade students.
In grades 3 and 4, participation in extracurricular activities is currently 63% and 37%, respectively. Overall, 71 percent of students in grades 1-4 now access SFO, which is an increase of 12 percentage points compared to the 2020–2021 school year.
Biggest growth in Agder
All districts except Oslo saw an increase in the participation of second-grade students in SFO. Here the turnout is 98 percent, the same as last year. The increase is the largest in the Agder district, at 23 percentage points, while Rogaland recorded the second largest increase in electoral participation, at 20 percentage points, since last year
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Source: regjeringen
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