Committee in Innlandet to discuss proposed school closures amid student protests

On Wednesday, the main education committee in Innlandet county will discuss changes to the school structure in the region. The committee chair, Joakim Ekseth, briefly paused the meeting to greet protestors gathered outside the county house.

The county council has proposed the closure of two high schools, Dokka and Skarnes, and four additional school locations: Lom, Dombås, Nordstumoen, and Flisa. The majority coalition in the county council, made up of the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Green Party, has amended the proposal to include the closures of the aforementioned schools and locations, sparking significant public outcry.

The meeting is set to commence at 9:00 AM, with numerous demonstrators already in attendance. Reports indicate that four buses filled with students from Dokka have traveled to Hamar to protest against the planned closure of Dokka High School. The students are also bringing a petition to present to the committee.

Local politicians, including SV’s Bjørnar Tollan and Frp’s Marit Ophus, expressed gratitude for the youth’s engagement. Ophus noted, “I was moved to tears. The commitment is enormous, and we greatly appreciate it.” Tollan acknowledged the students for inspiring a focused discussion, emphasizing the impact on individuals and communities.

The Liberal Party argues against the justification for shutting down schools at this juncture, with Stig Vaagan asserting that rushing closures by 2025 presents substantial risks. He believes that more comprehensive data is necessary and that Skarnes and Dokka should be recognized as areas of growth. The county council meeting aims to address these pressing educational issues.