Consultation input on a renovation plan for schools in Norway

The Løvemammaene's Kindergarten and School Committee, chaired by Eline Grelland Røkholt, has submitted consultation input to representative proposals to survey the quality of, and prepare a system for regular follow-up of, school buildings and the physical learning environment for all Norwegian pupils in primary and secondary education.

Read the full submission below:

Consultation input to Representative proposal 83 S (2022-2023) on a renovation plan for Skole-Norge

Løvemammaene is a diagnosis-independent organization that works to inform about and improve the rights of children and young people with illness or functional variation. We are passionate about support, freedom and equality for the whole family. The organization is growing and approaching 6,000 members.

The Løvemammaene would like to give a brief input to Storting representative Freddy André Øvstegård and Grete Wold's representative proposal, on systematic mapping and follow-up of the quality of school buildings and physical learning environments, and that the government prepare a strategy for improvement measures. The Løvemammaen agree with the justifications that form the basis of the proposal. 

The Løvemammaene would also like to clarify that among many of our member families, there are students who are particularly vulnerable to poor interior quality in school buildings. This applies both to air quality, but also to noise and poor sound conditions. Neurodivergent children are over-represented in statistics for severe school absences, and it is obvious to draw a connection between poor physical conditions and school absences in pupils who have sensory difficulties. We specify that the strategy must apply to all teaching buildings, including after-school/all-day facilities where pupils also spend their school time, as well as premises used for reinforced departments, where pupils with complex health difficulties spend large parts of their school day. 

The Løvemammaen fully support the proposal being put forward, and believe that the Storting must ask the government to draw up a strategy for improvement that safeguards all children and young people in education. We see universal design as a fundamental consideration in the strategy as a primary premise for remedial measures to be able to reach all pupils in the school. 

With best regards 
The lion motherss Kindergarten and school committee