The Fritt Ord Tribute 2024
Teachers at the Oslo Cathedral School

Thirty-seven teachers at the Oslo Cathedral School are being awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for the feature article “We have been accused of racism for teaching about racism”, which was published in Aftenposten on 15 May 2024. The article has generated debate for addressing important issues that will continue to be – and should be – discussed in future. The award ceremony is scheduled for the first day of the new school year, Monday, 19 August 2024.

The teachers joined forces to refute accusations made against them on an Instagram account called ‘Racism in Norway’. They were criticised for including texts in Norwegian classes that contained the “N word”. The teachers wrote the article to refute allegations that they were doing their pupils a disservice by using texts that describe racism and include words with negative connotations. In the article, the teachers take a clear position, stating that texts of an unpleasant or painful nature also have a natural place in the classroom. In their words: “Our job is to teach pupils to deal with reality and history that can be intolerable at times.”

The matter has generated considerable engagement and debate involving both the school and the surrounding community: How should controversial topics be taught? How can we conduct a dialogue about issues with which we are fundamentally, vehemently opposed? What needs to be done to teach young people to agree to disagree civilly rather than to engage in polarised debates? The pupils’ encounters with issues in the classroom are encounters with society. For precisely that reason, it is profoundly important how schools and individual teachers address and resolve these issues.

In Norwegian schools today, teachers constantly risk exposure to ridicule or criticism through videos shot in the classroom, not least because film clips can be taken out of context and shown in a digital format that projects a distorted message. This creates an untenable work situation, and could potentially destroy the learning environment.

“Today’s recipients of the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute act as role models for young people in more than one sense. They do this by reading and analysing substantive texts, even painful ones that address difficult topics such as racism, hatred, violence, sexism and historical abuse. In addition, they are addressing the public through their article, allowing us insight into the dilemmas of teaching. They clearly state exactly what they stand for”, remarks Grete Brochmann, chair of the Fritt Ord Foundation.

Conveying values involves more than simply paying lip service to them in 17th of May speeches. It is indeed in demanding situations where the viability of these values is put to the test. “Our job is to educate citizens of a democratic society,” as the article points out. In a democracy open to discussion, it is essential to deal with society for better or for worse, and to learn to be critical of different types of texts, including those that are unpleasant or controversial.

It is a given that teaching methods should be subject to discussion and criticism, but teachers must be free to choose what tools to use in the classroom.

Literature enhances readers’ understanding by introducing them to the experiences and perspectives of others. The teacher’s role is to show them the pathway, communicate the material and take responsibility in the face of conflicting pressures. The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute is intended to encourage people to speak up despite the discomfort, and allow this important debate to continue.

The article was signed by:

Ana María Avilés Ruiz
Manon Budahl
Asta Rønning Fjærli
Kjetil Andre Jakobsen
Stein Tingvold
Elin Tandberg
Mathias Jesman Sunde
Trond Thorstensen
Martine Haukland Nyrud
Erlend Bruaset
Ingrid Varan
Ellen Julie Opdahl
Knut Skrindo
Cornelia Spjelkavik Sparre
Hanne Skogvoll
Toril Myreng
Henrik Lawrence Keeler
Merete Margareth Tandberg
Julia Kagge
Janne von Kiedrowski Heimdal
Andreas Bagås Lien
Marit Eikeland
Trine Flattun Rogndokken
Regine Lundevall Bergersen
Kristin Ask
Marianne Glad Leversund
Håvard Helstad
Trude Davidsen Bjerga
Mette Langfeldt Moe
Oddmund Grønvik
Ingvild Idås
Kjersti Bamle
Åse Manengen
Wenche Jensen
Sandra Marsh
Per Helmer Andersen
Gyrid Jerve

Fritt Ord’s press pictures of the teachers.

Click here to watch the speeches delivered at the award ceremony on 19 August 2024.