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MILLIONS: Henrik Asheim hopes the funds will help students in difficult situations. Photo: Helge Mikalsen
The Ministry of Education will open the wallet to help students struggling during the pandemic. – It hurts to think about that, says the «student minister».
A group of experts, led by the Ministry of Education and Research, is now working to find concrete measures for students who experience loneliness and other difficulties related to student life. Research and Higher Education Minister Henrik Asheim (H) will now allocate NOK 10 million for the work.
– Many have sat too alone in their bedroom, attended digital conferences and had little social contact. It is clear that he is using. I think it hurts to think that we are not able to capture everyone who feels a little more lonely, but I hope these extra millions can be used to make student life a little better for more people, he says.
VG has spoken with several students who have told them about a sad student fall. Many have digital education and therefore many spend a lot of time at home in the bedroom. According to Statistics Norway, there are around 300,000 pursuing higher education in Norway.
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Asheim: – Worried about the students.
SERIOUS: Asheim says he gets sad when he thinks of lonely students. Photo: Hallgeir Vågenes
The group will present its recommendations on November 23 and is a collaboration between the ministry and representatives from, among others, the University College Council, the Communications Council, the Norwegian Health Directorate and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
– You have previously told VG that you are very concerned about the situation of the students. Will these millions improve your night’s sleep?
– I’m not so worried about my own night’s sleep, what worries me the most is that we find good ways to help students who now feel lonely and have little academic and social contact with their peers. And I think that 10 million can be a good contribution to that work.
– But is 10 million really that much money? There are 14 student organizations in Norway.
– We can always discuss how much money we need. Now we have to see what this group is proposing in terms of measures and I am absolutely sure NOK 10 million will be a good contribution to that work, says Asheim.
The case is being updated
NSO: – Satisfied
The Norwegian student organization is pleased that money has been made available. NSO’s head of social welfare, Jonas Økland, sits on the committee that looks at the measures, but emphasizes that he is speaking on behalf of the organization and not the rest of the group.
– We are pleased that money arrives. We’ll see if 10 million is enough. It is good that this group has been eliminated, but the measures cost money.
Of the important steps to take, he lists good communication with students, help with student volunteering, professional mentoring, and mental health prevention. It can be very important in the autumn darkness.
– Now that it is dark at four o’clock and society is closing in even tighter, we get a lot of feedback from students who are going through a difficult time, says Økland.
– There is hope, but there is hope in a hanging thread.
