Norwegian school reverses singlet ban after student protest

Nordkjosbotn school in Balsfjord, Norway, reversed a ban on singlets for female students after a protest, the principal said in an apology to parents, Dagbladet reported. The school had earlier told girls in 8th and 9th grade that wearing only a singlet was seen as “challenging” and that they should dress to avoid “sexually offensive comments” from classmates.

A message sent to parents on Tuesday, cited by Dagbladet, said: “School is a public place, and this entails a certain dress code.” The message, from principal Annette Kjoshaug, added that adults should help students “not experience sexually harassing/encouraging comments.”

The ban prompted all girls in eighth and ninth grade to wear singlets to school on Wednesday in protest, the paper said. Student Lykke Edvardsen, 14, told Dagbladet she was angry. “This has never been a problem before, and came out of the blue,” she said. Students told local newspaper Nordlys they had not experienced offensive comments from boys.

Parent Jeanette Skogeng, whose daughter received a warning for defending a friend who was told to cover up, said parents were not consulted beforehand. The parent group sent a letter to the principal questioning why girls were held responsible for others’ behavior. “These are attitudes that do not belong in 2026,” the letter stated.

Principal Kjoshaug initially declined to comment to Nordlys but later responded to the parents’ letter, Dagbladet reported. “When you at home think it is okay to wear a singlet or similar at school, it is of course allowed at school,” she wrote, adding that students were “heartily welcome” to wear singlets during school hours.