– I have not had a single exam – VG

Last week, the government chose to cancel the written exam due to the challenging form of teaching during the pandemic. The same thing happened last year.

This means that several of this year’s graduating students risk leaving upper secondary school without a written exam. Digital teaching has also been difficult for many.

– I find it difficult to follow and focus in class when you stare at a screen all day. I feel less ready for further education, because I am simply left with poorer knowledge, she says to VG.

This is how the government justified the exam cancellation in the spring of 2020:

Horne adds that she is now considering a year off before applying for higher education.

– I have not had a single exam

Horne says she would rather see that the exam was not canceled. She thinks it would be a good experience and preparation for student life.

– I have not had a single exam during high school and this will most likely create a more difficult transition.

– Many are relieved that the exam was canceled, possibly because they do not realize the future consequences. At the same time as most people are left with record-high grade points, they are also left with little learning benefit, she points out.

Difficult to find the right study

– I feel a lack of important knowledge, in addition to the ability to absorb knowledge in a good way, says Erik Lindstøl to VG.

He says the absence of discussions with teachers and students has meant that both motivation and learning outcomes have declined. He does not feel well enough equipped to begin higher education. Earlier this year, Lindstøl wrote an article in VG in which he requested that the exam be canceled.

– I have struggled to find out what I like to learn about, and then it becomes more difficult to focus on a study, he continues.

Will adapt more for the students

Minister of Education Guri Melby (V) is concerned that all students should be ready for further education or working life after upper secondary school

– Funds are set aside so that graduating students who lack grades and do not receive a diploma can get help.

– How can you arrange for the litters that have not had an exam?

– In this crisis situation, we get to rely more on the standpoint grades. For some it will be an advantage, for others not. We are aware of this, but we believe this is the best solution now, Melby continues.

Will hit the best too

Thomas Nordahl is a professor at Høgskolen i Innlandet and one of Norway’s foremost school researchers.

– The question is whether some students, due to the elevated grade point average, end up in studies they do not master. There is no doubt that homeschooling and digital education have a negative effect on knowledge and benefits.

Nordahl believes that the “corona school” will affect all students – even the best.

– Many schools work to ensure that the standpoint grades are not much higher than the exam grades, because it indicates that you are too kind with the standpoint. When exams are now canceled, we risk that many students get higher grades than they actually have the skills and knowledge for.

– Must get better at facilitation

Nordahl says that most educational institutions are not good at adapting and adapting the level of teaching for new students.

– We must to a greater extent meet these students halfway, since they come from two “years” with very different teaching. My experience is that we are too bad at this.

Will be researching the “corona coals”

Psychologist specialist Sverre Urnes Johnson is one of the researchers who will follow the development of the graduating students from the “corona school” closely.

– The fear is that those who initially struggle, will get it tougher.

Johnson says they are now working on a mental health research project among young people and adults that follows the corona pandemic, which runs from the spring of last year until 2022.

– The loneliness from this spring and summer was elevated compared to levels before the pandemic. In addition, a number of important transition rituals such as sponsorship week and Russian celebration disappeared, in part. The concern is that those who are already quite vulnerable will be left behind to an even greater extent.