School in Norway

Primary and lower secondary school (age 6–16)

Children start school in August of the year in which they turn six. In Norway, all children and young people aged 6–16 have a right and obligation to take primary and lower secondary education. This means that all children go to school for ten years. Public primary and lower secondary education is free. Primary and lower secondary education is free for everyone. Private schools often charge a fee. The school year starts around mid-August and lasts until mid-June.

Compulsory education is divided into two main parts.

• Primary school: Year 1–7 (age 6–12)
• Lower secondary school: Year 8–10 (age 13–15)

Children who come to Norway during the school year will be offered a place at a school as soon as possible. The municipality in which you live is responsible for offering your child a place at a school as soon as possible and no later than one month after arrival in Norway. 

Please contact the municipality where you live for more information about the education available for your child.

Upper secondary school (age 16–24)

Upper secondary education is voluntary and free in Norway. Everyone who completes primary and lower secondary education or an equivalent education is entitled to upper secondary education. The same applies if you have completed upper secondary education in another country, but it is not recognised as a higher education entrance qualification or vocational qualification in Norway. 

The right to upper secondary education lasts until you have achieved a higher education entrance qualification or vocational qualification, regardless of how long this takes.

You can find more information about different study programmes and application deadlines from your county authority or at vilbli.no, which has information in several languages. The school you go to also provides advice and guidance on study choices. 

Upper secondary education for adults

If you are between the ages of 19 and 24, you can choose whether you want education organised for young people or adults.

Education rights

Education rights refer to the statutory rights that students have in the school system. These rights ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop and learn in a supportive environment.

Here are some of the most important rights: 

1. Free education: All students have the right to free primary and secondary education.
   
   
2. Adapted education: Education must be adapted to the individual student’s abilities and prerequisites.
   
   
3. A safe school environment: Students have the right to a good, safe school environment that promotes health, well-being and learning. Schools have zero tolerance for bullying, violence, discrimination and harassment.
   
   
4. Participation: Students have the right to participate in matters that concern their school life, including participation in student councils and other councils and committees.
   
   
5. Special education: Students who need it have the right to special education.

Cooperation between parents and school

Parents are a very important resource for children, also when it comes to schooling. Parental support has a major impact on children and adolescents’ well-being and performance at school.  The school has overall responsibility for initiating cooperation. This means ensuring that parents and guardians receive the necessary information and that they are given the opportunity to influence their children’s school life.

Travel route and transport to/from school

Students are entitled to free school transport if their school is a certain distance away, if the travel route is dangerous, or if the student has a disability or has an injury.

Day care facilities for schoolchildren (SFO or AKS)

All primary schools have day care facilities for schoolchildren (SFO or AKS). This is a voluntary before and after school programme, where children can play and take part in cultural and leisure activities. Most municipalities have day care facilities for all children in years 1-4, and for children with special needs in years 1-7. 
 
Contact the municipality or school for more information about the programme.

Use of interpreters in kindergarten and school

Good communication is important in meetings between parents and the school to safeguard the student’s rights and avoid misunderstandings. The school and kindergarten can book an interpreter through the interpreting service. Using an interpreter is often important initially to ensure staff and parents have understood each other.