The government must ignite the spark for science subjects among the youngest children
Norway needs more bright science and technology minds to solve the societal challenges of the future. "In order to succeed with the science strategy, the government must deliver more than a declaration of ambition," says Kjetil Lein, president of NITO.
The government is in the process of creating a national strategy for science and technology, something NITO has long called for. Lein believes the situation is precarious:
We see weak and falling results in mathematics and science, a large decline in pupils who choose science subjects in upper secondary school and a working life that needs more people with science and technology skills.
Kjetil Lein, President of NITO
The NITO president believes that the government's strategy must be holistic, long-term and binding: from kindergarten to lifelong learning. He points out, among other things, that many children and young people never develop an interest in or mastery in science subjects.
" We believe that part of the government's ambition must be that the spark for science subjects is awakened earlier and already in kindergarten," says Lein.
Science subjects throughout life
The latest results from the PISA survey, among others, show that many students do not develop sufficient skills in mathematics and science.
"When they do not master the basic skills, the basis for further learning and choice of science and technology is also weakened," says Lein.
The need for skills cannot be met by more graduates alone. Restructuring and technological development require more people to develop and update their skills throughout their entire working lives.
"NITO's needs survey shows that more than half of the companies find it difficult to get hold of qualified engineers for their business. At the same time, more report an increased need in the years ahead," says NITO's president.
Lein is clear that an investment in science and technology must be closely linked to the needs of working life and the skills needs of the future.
NITO's three main challenges to the Government's strategy:
1. Too few children and young people develop an interest in and master science.
NITO will have fewer students at the lowest mastering levels in mathematics and science, and more at the highest.
2. It is not attractive enough to choose science and technology.
NITO believes that the ambition must be that at least half of the pupils in upper secondary education choose a programme area within natural sciences by 2035.
3. Norway does not educate enough science and technological expertise to meet the skills needs of the future.
Norway should increase the proportion of students in technology and science subjects to the EU's target of at least 32 per cent by 2035, and strengthen the opportunities for skills development throughout working life.
