Norway announced the closure of all kindergartens and schools on 12 March 2020. It has subsequently reopened its kindergartens on April 20, followed by primary schools for children in grades one through four on April 27, 2020. In addition, some upper secondary schools have reopened for second and third year pupils in vocational education programmes.

The Norwegian Education Directorate has issued specific and separate guidance for supervisors on preventing infection spread in reopening kindergartens, primary and secondary/high schools. This focusses on the three pillars of health, hygiene and contact between people.

Training has been provided so that local authorities, other school owners and employees receive clear, reliable information on what they need to do. There is also clear and accessible information for parents on school arrangements. They too, are expected to contribute to infection prevention, with a set of guidelines outlining their prospective role. Some children are not required to return to school; those who are at special risk and those who live with family members who are at special risk. They will, however, continue to receive remote schooling.

This information represents a distillation of the current (the Norwegian authorities will update as necessary) available school guidance and a concentration on operational examples, which might inform decision-making within the Scottish education system.

Briefing Paper – Reopening of schools in Norway (PDF)Download

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