Many parents express concern about what their children encounter in school when it comes to teaching about gender, identity and sexuality. From the earliest years, children are introduced to programs that are characterized by a radical understanding of gender, and this often happens without their parents being informed in advance. Several students have spoken of uncertainty and confusion after such classes, and many parents feel powerless: What do I do if I do not want my child to receive this instruction?
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. While the authorities leave the content to teachers, school management and bureaucrats, it is actually the parents who have clear rights in the law. Knowledge of these rights is crucial to being able to meet the school in a safe way and safeguard the child's best interests.
What does the Education Act say?
As a parent, you have both the right and the obligation to be involved in your child's schooling.
Education Act Section 1-3 describes the value basis for the training:
«"The education should be based on fundamental values in Christian and humanist heritage and tradition, such as respect for human dignity and nature, freedom of thought, charity, forgiveness, equality and solidarity. Values that are also expressed in different religions and philosophies, and that are rooted in human rights."”
Education Act Section 14-6 a clear right to exemption from activities that are perceived as contrary to one's own religion or beliefs:
“Students have the right to be exempted from educational activities that they reasonably perceive as practicing a religion other than their own, or adhering to a philosophy of life other than their own, or that they experience on the same grounds as offensive or offensive. The exemption requires written notification from the student or parents, but no justification is required.”«
This right applies to activities, not to the competence objectives in the curricula. Students who are exempted must have an alternative program with equivalent academic content. A written notification is sufficient, and no justification is required. At the same time, parents cannot demand exemption from the competence objectives, although some schools have offered this in practice. In any case, the school must provide an alternative activity that covers the academic content.
An exemption may be necessary, but it does not always solve the problems – they are only passed on to parents and students who come after.
Also Education Act Section 27-1 may be relevant:
«"The municipality and county council shall ensure that students are not exposed to advertising (…) that can greatly influence attitudes, behavior and values, including on school grounds, in textbooks and other teaching materials used in education."»
Teaching that functions as ideological campaigning can therefore be considered unwanted advertising.
International rights
Parental rights are also enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The Additional Protocol from 1952 (Paris) states:
Article 2 – Right to education:
«"No one shall be denied the right to education. Functions assumed by the State in matters of education and teaching shall be exercised with respect for the right of parents to secure such education and teaching in accordance with their own religious and philosophical convictions."»
In the Norwegian school system, there is little awareness of these rights. Much of the management is left to bureaucrats, politicians, school owners and teachers. Nevertheless, the law is clear: teaching in state, county and municipal administration must respect the parents' faith and convictions. Unfortunately, we see little of this in practice - but it is a right that you as parents actually have.
What should parents be aware of?
The school has a duty to provide information about the teaching program. As a parent, you can therefore request access to which books and materials are used. This varies from school to school, but it is completely legitimate to request an overview early on – and it shows that you are an engaged parent who wants cooperation.
At the same time, it is important to be aware that ideological messages do not always come in separate teaching sessions. They can appear indirectly – in reading aloud, project work or interdisciplinary topics. Teachers have a certain freedom in how they meet the competence objectives, and for this reason they can be challenged in their choice of topics and sources. When parents provide support, teachers are more confident in choosing solutions that safeguard the child's and family's values.
Teachers are not required to use textbooks – they are only obliged to cover the competence objectives. This means that parents can both encourage and influence the use of alternative sources. At the same time, this involves a risk: some teachers may choose teaching materials that are more ideologically influenced than textbooks. Therefore, access to teaching materials is a good place to start for parents who want to follow suit.
Four concrete pieces of advice for parents
- Build a good relationship with the teacher and school – an open and respectful dialogue makes it easier to raise concerns and propose solutions.
- Request access in the curriculum, books and plans, also for the coming school year. This provides overview and predictability.
- Prepare your child at home that different views exist, and provide security in what you as a family believe and stand for. Ask the child to speak up if they experience teaching that violates the family's values and views, and have an open dialogue with the child.
- Ally with other parents – together you are stronger and can support each other in dealing with the school.
When parents are clear, but at the same time show a willingness to cooperate, it creates a framework of respect and security – both for the children and for the school. The goal is that teaching should be truthful, promote critical and scientific thinking, and safeguard the best interests of the child. This should be done in line with the parents' right to education that respects their religious and philosophical beliefs.
Good luck – you are doing an important job as a parent!