In 2017, the government decided on two measures that will extend the right to upper secondary education. Young people who leave education and training early were given a new right to continue their education, and more immigrants are entitled to attend upper secondary education.

Help for early leavers from education and training

The government changed the regulations to ensure a new opportunity for early school leavers to complete their education. Previously, young people who started upper secondary education were given five years to complete it. Learners who failed had to wait until age 25 before a new right to upper secondary education was offered; sometimes those aged 21 are given no options for four years and may, as a result, have not completed their training. New regulations gave them a new right to education without having to wait until they reach 25, so making it easier for those who drop out to restart. 

Improving immigrants’ rights

The government allocated more rights to upper secondary education for immigrants. Previously, immigrants who had completed upper secondary schooling in their home country had no right to upper secondary education in Norway, even when their home education was not recognised as a general or professional qualification.

This regulation often affected those with the greatest opportunity to integrate quickly and continue to higher education. According to the new regulation, immigrants with education not recognised in Norway have the right to upper secondary education.

Training within one month

The government also amended the regulations for all children arriving in Norway to receive training as quickly as possible as and no later than within one month.