Arbeidsmarkedskurs og annen videregående opplæring (engelsk), 1 October 2001

A total of 5 800 pupils were registered in folk high schools by 1^{s t}October 2001. The number attending labour market courses is 6 500 and more than 10 200 within other upper secondary programmes (this includes mainly private educational institutions).

The number of pupils in folk high schools has increased by 2 per cent compared with the final figures by 1^{s t}October 2000. Those attending labour market courses registered a decline of almost 20 per cent whilst the number of pupils in other upper secondary education programmes decreased by about 2 400 pupils, an equivalent of almost 20 per cent.

Males and females select differently

There are differences between males and females in the selection of study areas. About 41 per cent of females in other secondary education programmes selected subjects within humanities and arts. The female proportion within this field of study is 69 per cent. Males choose subjects within the sciences, trade and crafts as well as technical areas. There is also a considerable proportion of males within the arts and humanities. This field of study accounted for about 26 per cent of total males pupils.

Most of the participants in the labour market courses are within the areas of sciences, trade and craft and technical subjects. Out of the 2 500 in this study area, 1 600 are males. The choice of study areas among the females is more evenly distributed among the various fields of study than males.

Over 90 per cent of pupils registered in other upper secondary education programmes go to private educational institutions. Oslo has the most number of pupils within this educational sector. Most of the folk high schools are also private and these private schools account for about 87 per cent of total pupils in folk high schools. The highest number of folk high school pupils can be found in Hordaland with about 544 pupils. Akershus follows closely with 479 and Møre og Romsdal is in third position with 426 pupils. Finnmark has the lowest number with 113 pupils.

Female majority in folk high schools

Females constitute a significant proportion of the pupils in folk high schools. About 63 per cent of folk high school pupils are females and the majority is in the age group of 19-24 years. As much as 68 per cent of the pupils within this age group are females. A significant majority of those attending labour market courses are above 30 years and this group makes up 66 per cent of total number of pupils within the labour market courses. There are many more females than males within the labour market courses though the proportionate difference is not so much, a 6 per cent difference. Females also dominate those above 30 years and comprise 57 per cent of this group.

The majority of pupils in other upper secondary programmes are from 19 to 24 year. The number in this age group is about 5 000 accounting for 53 per cent of total number of pupils. There are many more pupils within the age group 19-24 years than in the age group 25 -29 years and those above 30 years together. The female proportion in other upper secondary education programmes is 58 per cent, whereas the corresponding proportion among those in the age group 19-24 years is 56 per cent.

Pupils in folk high schools have educated parents

Available data shows that most of the pupils in folk high schools have high social backgrounds compared with pupils in other upper secondary programmes and labour market courses. This is measured by parents' highest level of education.

Over 50 per cent of pupils in folk high schools have parents with college or university education. The corresponding percentages for other upper secondary education programmes and labour market courses are 37 and 13 respectively. The proportion of pupils in folk high schools whose parents have upper secondary education as highest level is 46 per cent while only 3 per cent have parents with only primary or lower secondary education. The corresponding percentages for those in labour market courses are 57 and 30 and that for other upper secondary education programmes are 54 and 9.

Many pupils with minority background in labour market courses

More than a third of the pupils in labour market courses have minority background and over 50 per cent are females. Of the10 000 in other upper secondary education programmes, only 6 per cent have minority background. The proportion is even lower in the folk high schools where pupils with minority background form only 3 per cent of total number of pupils as of 1^{s t}October 2001.

For more information on folk high schools: http://www.ssb.no/utfolk_en/

Tables:

• Table 1 Pupils in other upper secondary education programmes, by gender, field of study and part time/full time. 1st October 2001. Preliminary figures
• Table 2 Pupils in labour market courses, by gender and field of study. 1st October 2001. Peliminary figures
• Table 3 Pupils in other upper secondary education programmes, folk high schools and labour market courses, by ownership and county of residence. 1st October 2001. Preliminary figures
• Table 4 Pupils in other upper secondary education programmes, folk high schools and labour market courses by parents' educational level and gender. 1st October 2001. Absolute and percentages. Preliminary figures
• Table 5 Pupils in other upper secondary programmes, by immigration category. 1st October 2001. Absolute and percentages. Preliminary figures
• Table 6 Pupils in other upper secondary education programmes, by age and gender. 1st October 2001. Preliminary figures
• Table 7 Pupils in other upper secondary education programmes and labour marker courses, by field of study and gender. 1st October 2001. Preliminary figures
• Table 8 Candidates who completed other upper secondary education programmes, by gender and field of study. 1st October 2001. Preliminary figures. Per cent