Oslo, Norway – A 2016 educational policy in Norway, which saw iPads distributed to every five-year-old child entering school, has been linked to a significant decline in national reading proficiency, according to recent reports. The country, once a leader in literacy, has observed its reading scores fall below the OECD average, prompting a multi-million-dollar effort to reverse the trend.
The initiative, which began around 2016, aimed to integrate technology into early childhood education. However, as noted in a social media post by Alex & Books, "In 2016 Norway gave every 5-year-old child an iPad." This widespread distribution of personal devices to young children quickly became a contentious issue among some educators and parents.
Following the introduction of these devices, Norway's standing in international literacy assessments deteriorated. "Within a few years, Norway's reading scores plummeted and dropped below the OECD average," the tweet highlighted, adding that the country "ranked dead last out of 65 countries" in the PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) for children's enjoyment of reading. Before the iPads were widely adopted, Norway's PISA reading scores were significantly above the international average.
In response to the alarming decline, Norway is now investing substantial resources to re-emphasize traditional literacy. As the tweet concluded, "Now Norway is spending millions of dollars to reverse this trend and get people reading." This includes a national reading initiative launched by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and a government-appointed reading commission.
Educational authorities are implementing significant policy changes, including the removal of iPads for the first three years of schooling and a ban on mobile phones for all ages. Efforts are also underway to revitalize libraries with engaging programs and encourage reading through various community initiatives, aiming to foster a renewed appreciation for books and traditional learning methods.
