Several parents across the country have recently reacted to the fact that schools are marking pride without taking into account freedom of religion, parental rights and the Education Act. Many have used our letterhead to refer to the legislation and ask that the school respect the rights of parents and students. But the responses from the schools show a clear pattern: The principals do not refer to current laws and rights, but to articles and opinion pieces from the Norwegian Directorate of Education – as if they were legally binding. They are not, and the clear rights of students and parents are overlooked and not safeguarded.
At Kristent Ressussenter, we have revised and updated the letter template. «"How to stop Pride at school with the law in hand"». The update is based on many specific cases we have followed closely over the past year, where parents have faced resistance when they have asked the school to respect parental rights and students' freedom of religion, in attempts to stop pride, obtain alternative arrangements or exemptions.
The letter template shows which paragraphs apply, how to request exemption from ideological markings, and what obligations the school has to maintain neutrality and cooperation with the home. The new version is based on the answers that schools and state administrators actually give – and provides clear advice on how parents can respond using the law as their basis.
The goal is not conflict, but to contribute to respect, equal treatment and real freedom of religion in schools, and to avoid forced pride and ideological pressure.
After many parents have sent letters to schools and municipalities, we see a clear trend:
It has also been useful!
In a few municipalities, schools have nevertheless chosen to cancel pride celebrations after dialogue with parents – because they understood that the law actually obliges principals to safeguard the rights of parents and students. This shows that it is useful to speak up, even though the trend is that principals, school owners and state administrators generally do not understand the rights they are set to protect and uphold.
Parents who ask for exemption from ideological pressure and forced pride in school are not fighting against individuals, but for the principle of freedom of religion, equal treatment and parental rights. School should be a safe place for all students – even those who do not want to participate in ideological celebrations. Our resources, StopPride.no, shows that pride is political, owned by a political interest group, with a radical political agenda.
We continue to support parents in this struggle, and are now in contact with legal experts to assess the legal aspects of the case. The goal is to ensure that the law is respected, that the rights of parents and students are taken seriously in schools, and that forced pride does not occur.
Watch the video below:
Here you will get a clear overview of how schools, municipalities and state administrators interpret the regulations, and what parents can stand firm on in the face of ideological pressure.
Use our resources and stand with parents across the country to ensure that the rights of children and parents are respected.
