There are those who should never work with children and young people

Norwegian municipalities are failing to comply with a crucial law designed to protect children, with a vast majority hiring teachers without the required police background checks. The Norwegian Directorate for Education's recent inspection revealed that 51 out of 64 municipalities investigated are breaking the law. This means that four out of every five municipalities are not adhering to regulations that mandate criminal record checks for individuals working with children and adolescents.

The law requires that anyone offered a teaching position must present a police certificate that discloses any charges or convictions for sexual offenses or other serious crimes. This requirement has been in place for primary schools since 1999 and for upper secondary schools since 2004. However, the inspections found that many individuals are being employed as substitutes or even permanent teachers before these checks are completed, as reported by NRK.

This widespread non-compliance raises serious concerns about the safety of students in Norwegian schools. By allowing individuals with potentially problematic backgrounds to work with children without proper vetting, municipalities are undermining the legal framework established to ensure a safe learning environment. The findings suggest a systemic issue within the hiring practices of local authorities across the country.