Kongsberg proposes school closures amid financial challenges in Norway

Kongsberg is facing financial challenges similar to many municipalities in Norway, leading to potential school closures starting in the fall of 2025. The city manager’s proposal includes shutting down Jondalen, Berg, and Wennersborg schools, which have a combined student population of approximately 268 and a total of 49 staff members.

Wennersborg currently enrolls around 200 students with 34 staff, while Berg has about 50 students and 12 staff. Jondalen is the smallest, with just 18 students and three teachers. This proposal mirrors suggestions made in the spring of 2024, when the administration also outlined the possibility of phasing out six schools to save costs. Kongsberg anticipates backlash from the community regarding this new proposal. City manager Per Morstad emphasized that the decision is driven by financial necessity, not desire. He stated that while the schools offer quality education, maintaining too many school buildings hampers the municipality’s ability to invest in educational quality.

In addition to schools, the administration plans to close Kragsgate kindergarten, which currently serves 26 children. Morstad noted that four municipal kindergartens were reviewed, with Kragsgate identified as the only one for potential closure after a comprehensive assessment.

Morstad highlighted pressing demographic changes, including an aging population and declining birth rates, as factors necessitating resource allocation toward educational quality and staff adequacy. He stated that Kongsberg must cut 125 million kroner from its budget and will require political deliberation on the proposed closures in the coming weeks.