The School System of Norway

by David Allen Anderson

The salaries received by teachers do not average high in Norway. Many provisions are made, however, for the reduction of their living expenses. All those who serve the school authorities in Norway receive certain benefits appertaining to the positions they hold. For example: There is advance in salaries on promotions and after specified periods of service; teachers are exempt from expense incident to particular offices; school authorities send all official communications through the mail free of postage; teachers receive pensions on retirement from positions; the rural school teachers frequently receive, in addition to their salary, a house to live in and sufficient land for the pasturage of two or three cows, and in towns and cities some of the teachers have homes provided, or are allowed a certain amount per year for living expenses. These and similar concessions and provisions are extended to the teachers according to enactments of the state, individual communes, or municipalities. Generally, a regular schedule is made out by which salaries are governed. Table VII indicates the salaries for different positions in eight cities of Norway:

The table is made up from the salary schedules of typical cities of various sizes. The values are in kroner (one krone is practically the equivalent of twenty-seven cents in United States money). We note that salaries are medium in the beginning, and that they increase at regular intervals until certain limits are reached. When we consider these limiting salaries, the long service generally rendered at the highest rate, certainty of position, and the pension to be received upon retirement, we are prone to admit that the advantages are not altogether in favor of the higher salaries paid in our American schools. True, the American teacher generally receives larger returns in dollars and cents, but the Norwegian pedagogue is less mercenary than his American cousin. He is satisfied when his wants and those of his family are liberally provided for. His life is not strenuous. It is happy and filled with the joys of service and the companionship of youthful souls. Anxieties are in large measure overcome by the assurance that the state will provide necessities when the time for retirement comes. Pensions are graduated according to individual necessity as well as with reference to position, term of service, and salary at the time of retirement.

TABLE VII

Schedule of Salaries paid to Teachers in the Primary Schools of eight cities in Norway.[20]

			Salary After (in Kr.)
City	Position	Begin'ng Salary	3 yrs.	5 yrs.	6 yrs.	9 yrs.	10 yrs.	12 yrs.	15 yrs.
1. Christiania	Overlaerer	3000	3400		3700		4000
	Laerer, h.g.	3000
	Laerer, l.g.	1600	1800		2100	2400		2700	3000
	Laererinde, h.g.	1700
	Laererinde, l.g.	1100	1200		1300	1400		1500	1700
2. Fredrikshald	Laerer, h.g.	2200
	Laerer, l.g.	1300	1450		1650	1750		1900	2000
	Laererinde, h.g.	1250
	Laererinde, l.g.	950	1000		1050	1100		1150
3. Sarpsborg	Laerer, h.g.	1800	2000
	Laerer, l.g.	1200	1400		1600	1700		1800
	Laererinde, h.g.	1150	1250
	Laererinde, l.g.	900	975		1050	1150
4. Fredrikstad	Laerer, h.g.	2100
	Laerer, l.g.	1400	1550		1700	1850		2000	2100
	Laererinde, h.g.	1200
	Laererinde, l.g.	1000		1100			1200
5. Drammen	Overlaerer	2600
	Laerer, h.g.	2300		2400
	Laerer, lg.	1400	1600		1800	2000		2100	2300
	Laererinde, h.g.	1300		1400
	Laererinde, l.g.	900	1000		1100	1200		1300
6. Horten	Laerer, h.g.	2000		2200
	Laerer, l.g.	1300	1500		1700	1850		2000
	Laererinde, h.g.	1100		1200
	Laererinde, l.g.	900	950		1000	1050		1100
7. Tonsberg	Overlaerer	2500	2650		2800
	Laerer, h.g.	2400	1600		1800	2000		2200	2400
	Laerer, l.g.	1400
	Laererinde, h.g.	1300
	Laererinde, l.g.	900	980		1060	1140		1220	1300
8. Kongsberg	Laerer, h.g.	1800
	Laerer, l.g.	1300	1450		1600	1700		1800
	Laererinde, h.g.	1100
	Laererinde, l.g.	700	800		900	1000		1100

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Chapter III

COURSES OF STUDY IN STATE SCHOOLS