Students express concern over declining interest in natural sciences at Thora Storm Upper Secondary School in Trondheim

Sana Karami, a third-year student at Thora Storm Upper Secondary School in Trondheim, expressed her view that they will never need the Nynorsk language, suggesting that time could be better spent on more important subjects. Alongside her classmate Iris Reki, they are currently attending their first R2 Mathematics class, which focuses on natural sciences. However, recent data from the Norwegian Directorate for Education shows a concerning trend: nearly four percent fewer students are choosing natural sciences as subjects compared to four years ago.

Øyvind Weiby Gregersen, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NTNU, voiced deep concern over the declining interest in natural sciences among secondary school students. He emphasized that this trend could lead to fewer applicants for related studies, ultimately weakening Norway’s economy and its ability to navigate future societal shifts, particularly towards green initiatives. He stated that the current students will be crucial for future developments that drive economic success.

To address what he sees as a looming crisis in natural sciences education, Gregersen proposed several measures, including reducing the emphasis on Nynorsk instruction to allocate more time to natural science courses. He stressed the importance of increasing instructional hours in these subjects at all educational levels and suggested that the criteria for teacher salaries should reflect performance and market competition.

In contrast, Ola Haugen Havrevoll, head of the Nidaros Language Association and an engineer himself, opposed the idea of cutting Nynorsk classes, advocating for their enhancement instead. He argued that proficiency in both written languages is vital for effective communication in professional contexts.

The discussions underscore a broader debate on educational priorities in Norwegian schools, especially as students like Adrian Kaspersen Nordtømme and Hogne Jystad Fikkan express a preference for natural sciences over language studies, citing a lack of interest in Nynorsk.