Laws and regulations governing schools

The Education Act refers to:

• The right and obligation to primary and lower secondary education, and the right to upper secondary education.
• Private primary and lower secondary schools that do not receive government subsidies and private primary and lower secondary home schooling.
• Primary and lower secondary education and upper secondary education for adults.

The Education Act states that it is mainly the municipalities who are responsible for public primary and lower secondary schools, and that the county municipalities are responsible for public upper secondary education.

The Act has rules on, among other things:

• education’s scope and content
• the organisation of teaching
• adapted education and special education
• the physical and psychosocial school environment (also includes bullying)
• pupil and parent participation (including council bodies)
• school leadership and teacher competence
• school transport
• vocational training provided by businesses
• complaints about the inadequate fulfilment of rights
• government supervision of compliance with laws and regulations

• Act relating to Primary and Secondary Education and Training (the Education Act)
• Link to the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training

The Education Act’s regulations contain rules on, among other things:

• pupil assessment and schools’ feedback to pupils and parents
• complaints about final grades or exam grades
• certificates and attendance records
• the safety of pupils
• the right to the required advice on social-pedagogical matters and educational and vocational advice
• admission to upper secondary education
• dissemination of apprentices and trainees to apprenticeship companies
• a follow-up service for those who do not complete upper secondary education

• Link to the Regulations pursuant to the Education Act (norwegian)

In addition to the Regulations pursuant to the Education Act, there are curricula for primary and secondary education. These are adopted pursuant to the Act, and have the status of regulations.

• Link to the curricula

The regulation concerning environmentally-focused health care applies to public and private kindergartens and schools. The rules contribute to the environment promoting health, well-being, good social and environmental conditions, and preventing illness and injury.

• Regulations relating to environmental health (norwegian)

The Independent Schools Act regulates private primary and lower secondary schools and private upper secondary schools. The Act has rules concerning the approval of private schools entitled to state subsidies. In order for a private school to be approved, it must operate on one of the following bases:

• life philosophy
• recognised educational direction
• international
• specially arranged upper secondary education in combination with elite sports
• Norwegian primary and lower secondary education abroad
• specially adapted education for disabled pupils
• upper secondary education in small craft subjects that are worthy of preservation

Norway is obliged by international conventions to ensure that children have the opportunity to choose alternatives to public school. Through the approval scheme, the state will ensure that children and young people who attend an independent primary school fulfil the education obligation according to the Education Act.

The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training processes applications for the establishment of private schools, supervises schools meeting the requirements of the regulations and ensures that state subsidies benefits pupils.

• The Independent Schools Act

The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training interprets the Education Act and the Independent School Act with associated regulations when there is a need for clarification at national level. The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training is also responsible for circulars. Guidance has been prepared that explains the regulations in certain areas and how they can be applied.

• Interpretation of regulations

The County Governor’s task is to inform and guide school owners, the general public and relevant target groups about the regulations and changes to regulations in primary and lower secondary education and about independent schools.

• The County Governor