A U.S. Marine with Marine Forces Europe and Africa’s Marine Corps Element-Norway presents a lecture Norwegian Army soldiers during a Navy Infantry Enlisted Leadership course in Setermoen, Norway, Dec. 5, 2018. This course consisted of various class lectures and physical training on how to lead and conduct themselves as noncommissioned officers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nghia Tran)

Norway’s Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun rejected the need to make teaching about conscription a “prioritized and independent” curriculum measure after FrP MP Simen Velle argued that young Norwegians need clearer instruction on what compulsory service means under the constitution. Velle cited concerns from the Armed Forces’ elected representative system that many citizens do not understand their role in a crisis or war.

Nordtun answered that current curricula already leave room to teach conscription through democracy, citizenship, rights and duties. She said changing the curriculum would be a broad and time-consuming process, while stressing that conscription is a natural part of civic education and that schools offered visits from the Armed Forces should accept them.

Read the entire piece in Altinget.