Recognising how essential strong reading skills are, the Norwegian government has launched a new reading initiative.
To help improve reading skills and encourage reading for pleasure, the Norwegian Government is proposing a Reading Boost initiative in primary and lower secondary schools. This forms part of their Reading Enthusiasm Strategy for 2024-2030. A 20 million NOK budget is being provided for the Reading Boost initiative. 1
The reading abilities of Norwegian pupils have declined in recent years, with a downward trend in both wellbeing and academic performance in reading. In fact, 15,000 Norwegian students leave primary school without being able to read properly.
Here are the five key measures of the reading boost:
- All students should read for at least 15 minutes every day.
- Students should have access to more non-fiction and fiction books in school, that are available in classrooms and school libraries.
- Younger pupils should have increased access to physical books and reduced access to texts on screens.
- Students who struggle with reading should receive rapid and tailored intervention support.
- The introduction of the “All of Norway reads” strategy – this will provide a national recommendation on the best beginning reading instruction methods. 2
Norwegian children will once again become among the world’s best readers… Being able to read well is absolutely crucial for understanding and learning in all subjects, for further education and work, and for living good lives. – Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
Reading is also a key area of focus in the Government’s Whitepaper, A More Practical School. The whitepaper aims to improve learning and motivation for learning through establishing a national programme of more practical learning.
Learn more about the Reading Boost initiative and Reading Enthusiasm Strategy.
