School structure for the future

It is not always the “A4 model” that gives the best results, it is often precisely the alternative that is the solution.

The administration in Vestland county municipality has prepared a consultation draft for a new school structure for secondary schools from 2025. It is probably necessary since the number of pupil places is greater than the number of pupils in the county.

The first principle underlying the draft plan is: “..continue the decentralized school structure. In the districts, the school is an important cornerstone for the local communities and ensures that many students have the opportunity to attend a school close to where they live. Pupils must have access to a variety of training and course offerings in their local area.”

Then it surprises Bjørnafjorden SV that the administration proposes to close one of the most sought-after and popular services in the Bjørnafjord region.

What is colloquially known as TAF (TAF/YSK), since its inception in 2001 with one class in technical subjects, has further developed into a very important and popular offer, now also in marine subjects, health subjects and restaurant subjects.

The TAF/YSK model leads students over the course of four years to both a study qualification and professional certificate. During their education, they combine work in a company with going to school. Technical and general subjects (TAF) is a collaboration between Fusa further school and training companies within various subject areas.

After four years, they therefore achieve a double qualification; both vocational certificate and study qualification, with in-depth studies in mathematics, physics and/or chemistry.

They are formally students at the school for the first two years and then apprentices in a company for the last two, but they have whole days at school/company all four years. The education is primarily aimed at those who wish to study at college or university level.

This educational offer has proven to be an important guarantee for recruitment to important cornerstone companies in our region. The education provides a well-qualified workforce with local roots.

At TAF/YSK, students learn to collaborate and to work independently according to their own plans.

The same also applies to another offer the consultation draft will remove. KDA (art, design and architecture) is an excellent 3-year education that focuses on creative processes and practical work. Society needs such expertise in problem solving to meet the challenges of the future.

The Bjørnafjord region needs alternative offers to the traditional 3-year theoretical path to study competence. It is not always the “A4 model” that gives the best results, it is often precisely the alternative that is the solution.

We remember the principle in the introduction: “.. Pupils must have access to varied training and line offerings”.

Bjørnafjorden SV supports the demand to maintain these offers at Fusa secondary school by allowing the school to pass on the combination solutions they have developed.

Hege Bjørnør

Mette Holmefjord Olsen

Bjørnafjorden SW