. Corporal punishment for students
Changes in Norwegian schools: Corporal punishment for students under the microscope
A government bill changing the method of teachers' physical intervention
The Norwegian Ministry of Education is proposing new regulations regarding teachers' physical intervention with students. The bill aims to enable school staff and extracurricular teachers to physically intervene to prevent harm to persons or property. The proposal now goes to the Storting.
Key change goals
Kari Nessa Nordtun, Minister of Education (AP), emphasizes that the aim of the changes is to improve the effectiveness of teaching and general well-being in schools. The introduction of a clear framework of actions is intended to provide school employees with a sense of security and enable them to respond appropriately in difficult situations.
No existing regulations
Currently, none of the education laws in Norway specify when a teacher may use physical intervention on students. The new act is intended to define this framework and introduce provisions on incident prevention, documentation and reporting obligations.
Physical intervention as a last resort
Minister Nordtun emphasizes that the use of physical intervention should be an absolute last resort, and schools should also focus on preventive actions to prevent situations requiring such actions.
Planned changes
If the regulations are adopted by the Storting, they are to enter into force simultaneously with the new education law, scheduled for August 1, 2024.
New rules against disrupting lessons
The Minister of Education is also considering the possibility physical intervention in case of verbal attacks and disruptions to the lesson. He wants teachers to have the tools they need to ensure peace in the classroom.
The new regulations will allow teachers to intervene physically in the event of a threat to people or property. However, the use of force must be appropriate to the situation and be a last resort. The regulations are to apply to primary schools, secondary schools and extracurricular activities. It is important that any form of physical intervention does not punish children.
These changes are intended to create a safer and more effective learning environment for all parties involved.
Source: Regjeringen.no
