Principals in Norway call for reform of police certificate system to enhance student safety

Rachel Johansen, the principal of Hegra Secondary School in Stjørdal, has expressed concern over the current system surrounding police certificates, also known as criminal record checks, which are designed to protect students in Norwegian schools from offenders. Under the existing regulations, no one can be employed in schools without having submitted a police certificate, and once hired, a principal cannot request a renewal of the certificate as long as the employee remains in the same position.

In a national survey of school principals, half of the respondents indicated a preference for a system that mandates regular renewals of these certificates. Johansen noted her unease regarding her lack of information if an employee were to commit a crime warranting a record. She believes that she, as an employer, should be informed immediately if an employee is suspected of wrongdoing, particularly in cases of misconduct, drug offenses, or violence, suggesting that child safety should take precedence over employee privacy.

Principal Lars Ottar Svensen of Føynland School echoed similar feelings, stating that having to wait up to two weeks for police certificates for substitute teachers is inefficient. He advocated for an automated system to expedite the process.

Currently, around 500,000 applications for police certificates are processed yearly, primarily at the Police Unit for Criminal Record Control in Vardø, with approximately 60,000 linked to schools. The Justice and Emergency Services Ministry is reviewing the possibility of altering the system, including regular renewals, emphasizing that schools should not hesitate to request new certificates if they suspect wrongdoing.