Individualised home schooling – at odds with the equity ambitions in the Nordic model of education?

Abstract

Within the Norwegian education system, equity, equal opportunities and education for all are fundamental principles, regardless of one’s socioeconomic background and academic achievement. In this article, we discuss how these ideals of equity for all students were challenged during the period of home-schooling that took place amid the Covid19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. The analysis draws on data from an anonymous, national digital survey for parents/caretakers with children in Norwegian elementary and secondary schools in grades 1 to 10 (N = 4,642). To describe typical teaching during home-schooling, the survey consists of both closed and open-ended questions. Overall, our findings show that parents had different experiences of home-schooling due to their levels of education, their work situations and the students’ access to equipment. The most important factors for ensuring equity during this period of home-schooling were providing the students with access to relevant equipment and support at home with regard to completing their schoolwork.