Parents and students march in Drammen, Norway, against proposed school cuts

A group of parents and students gathered outside Danvik School in Drammen, Norway, for a torch-lit march to Union Scene, where a public meeting concerning proposed school cuts took place. Petter Mathisen, a father with two children at Danvik, is hopeful the school will survive the budget cuts announced by the city, which is facing severe financial pressures.

Drammen Municipality has announced substantial budget cuts totaling 170 million kroner, with 130 million already authorized. Although the current cuts do not involve school closures, six schools, including Danvik, are now at risk, as revealed by municipal officials last week.

The schools identified for potential closure are Steinberg, Rødskog, Vestbygda, Danvik, Skoger, and Tangen. If all proposed cuts are enacted, the expected savings would amount to 55 million kroner.

Parents, including Brigt Hope, chair of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, expressed concerns over the lack of clarity and depth in the decision-making process. Many believe the financial justification for the cuts is inadequate and that a broader consideration of the community’s needs is necessary.

Several hundred people attended the public meeting to voice their apprehensions about the implications of these cuts. Ellen Marie Bjerkenes Nygård, a parent at Danvik, criticized the municipal leadership for making decisions that could negatively impact the city for decades.

Local politicians, including Lavrans Kjerulf from the Progress Party, acknowledged the strong community engagement and promised a thorough process moving forward. The municipal council is set to consider this issue on October 16, with a final decision expected in February 2025.