Am I allowed to homeschool my child in Norway?
Yes — parents can choose to teach their children at home instead of at school, but the municipality supervises. Under the Education Act there is compulsory education from the year the child turns 6 until 16, and you can fulfil it with home education. The teaching must give an education equivalent to the curriculum — the child has a right to education on a par with school. The municipality must start supervision within 3 months of home education beginning, and can test the child. If the teaching is not good enough, the municipality can require the child to return to school. This is not the same as "unschooling".
📋 The rules
- Parents can choose home education
- Compulsory education from 6 to 16
- Must match the curriculum
- The municipality starts supervision within 3 months
- The municipality can require the child back to school
🔓 Exceptions
- Sick pupils have a separate right to home tuition paid by the school
- Independent schools are a separate, approved alternative to public school
- "Unschooling" without structure toward curriculum goals is not allowed
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If supervision finds the teaching too poor, the municipality can require the child to attend school. In serious cases child welfare can be involved.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I homeschool my child?
Yes. Parents can teach their children at home, but the municipality supervises and can test the child.
What requirements apply to home education?
The teaching must give an education equivalent to the curriculum. The child has a right to education on a par with school.
How long does compulsory education apply?
From the year the child turns 6 until 16, that is throughout primary and lower-secondary school.
Can the municipality require the child back to school?
Yes. If supervision finds the teaching too poor, the municipality can require the child to attend school.
Is "unschooling" allowed?
No. A lack of structured teaching toward curriculum goals is not allowed.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I homeschool my child norway”
- “homeschooling compulsory education”
- “municipality supervision homeschooling”
- “home education curriculum”
- “child back to school”
- “unschooling norway”