In the national budget for 2025, it is proposed to cut support for higher education by NOK 22 million, which should correspond to what is estimated to be the income from the fees. It was Universitas that first mentioned the matter.
Thinks the free principle is being weakened
Head of the Norwegian Student Organization (NSO) Kaja I. Hovdenak is not satisfied.
– Free education is a principle in Norway that we cannot accept that the government once again takes a clear step away from, says Kaja I. Hovdenak to University.
Research and Higher Education Minister Oddmund Hoel (Sp) defends the move. – First and foremost: The free principle in higher education remains. This is primarily about the fact that we must avoid spending too many resources on students taking exams that they have already passed, he tells NTB.
He believes it is about not wasting resources, and believes that a fee is a good tool. – In 2022, 29,000 repetitions of previously passed exams were registered. About 30 per cent of these did not turn up for the exam they had signed up for, says Hoel.
SV: – Creates a class divide
As the government does not have a majority in the Storting, they are dependent on negotiating with SV. Education policy spokesperson in SV, Grete Wold, is not particularly impressed by the proposed measure.
– Once again, the government is sending the bill for education to the students. We create a class divide between those who can afford new chances and good grades, and those who cannot. This is a miserable and antisocial proposal from the government, she tells NTB.
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