The administration of the education system is divided into three levels; central level, county level, and municipal level with different responsibilities:
The development of a complete, comprehensive school system in Norway has been influenced by the two school systems that formerly existed for rural and urban areas. Throughout the 20th century there has been a strong trend towards developing a school system for all pupils regardless of background, ability to learn and physical fitness.
As for the financing of county and municipal government, the Norwegian national assembly has adopted a decentralised administrative structure, which delegate considerable authority and financial freedom of action to the county level. Block grants are given, and county and municipal authorities determine their activities according to existing legislation and regulations.
In addition, the Ministry emphasises the importance of placing local responsibility for didactical interpretation and adaptation with the school owner, in accordance with the Education Act and national regulations. All state institutions are expected to use a system of planning that covers both the short term (the budget year) and the medium term (3–4 years or more). State institutions must also formulate their objectives through a dialogue with the responsible Ministry and establish a system for following up their results.
The administration and management of schools and institutions varies according to their level in the education system. The municipality/county administration influences the extent of self-governance in schools/institutions in the municipality/county. In higher education, all institutions are administered by the Ministry of Education and Research, and follow the provisions laid down in Act of 1 April 2005 No 15 on Universities and University Colleges in this respect, as well as the general laws, agreements and provisions applicable to all state institutions. The Ministry is also responsible for monitoring private higher education.
The management of pre-primary institutions follows the Kindergarten Act (with the last changes in 2017) and a national curriculum called Framework Plan for the Content and Tasks of Kindergartens (2006).
Primary, upper and lower secondary and adult education are administered and managed according to the Education Act . The head-teacher is responsible for both the administrative and pedagogical aspects of running the school. In addition, depending on the size of the school, the staff of a primary/secondary school comprises assistant head-teacher, pupil counsellor, social teacher and administrative staff. The head-teacher is responsible for administrative activity and enforces decisions taken at various levels of the administration. The head-teacher is responsible for the school budget within the framework established by the municipality and county authorities, and for contact with the parents. In small schooles, the head-teachers also perform teaching activities.
In primary/lower secondary schools, a School Board has a say in the administration of the school and the education it provides. The School Board comprises representatives of the parents, the pupils, and the teaching personnel, other personnel and local municipal authorities. The head-teacher is the secretary of the School Board. In upper secondary schools, there are similar boards.
The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for all higher education institutions, with the exception of those of the police and the military sectors administered by the ministries of justice and defence respectively.
The public higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education and Research consist of: 10 universities, 6 specialised university institutions and 5 university colleges, in addition to 17 private institutions with recognised study programmes receiving public financial support. Of these, 3 are specialised university institutions and 14 university colleges. The administrative and organisational structure is laid down in Act No 15 of 1 April 2005 on Universities and University Colleges with certain exceptions given for the private HEIs and the university colleges under the auspices of the ministries of justice and defence respectively. A board with 11 members, including 4 external representatives, is the highest governing body of the state higher education institutions. The institutions cannot be instructed as to the content of their teaching, research or development work.
The overall system of administration and management of the higher education institutions is such that most (non-academic/non-artistic) fields of activity are regulated - either through legislation, royal decrees or regulations, or through agreements between the trade unions and national authorities. The trend is that the texts of such documents have gradually become less detailed. They now outline a framework for scope of decision-making, thereby building up a system of checks and balances in which there is always at least some room for the use of discretionary decisions at the institutions, after due consideration has been given to the need for national policy and national governance. In the field of financial management, for instance, the institutions are free to transfer allocated state funds between budget items (for example between those for salaries and for other ordinary running costs), within the limits laid down in relevant general regulations for all state institutions.
The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for all higher education institutions, with the exception of those of the police and the military sectors administered by the ministries of justice and defence respectively.
The higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education and Research consist of: 8 universities, 9 specialised university institutions (6 public and 3 private), 27 university colleges, and 2 university colleges of art, in addition to 31 private institutions with recognised study programmes. The administrative and organisational structure is laid down in Act No 15 of 1 April 2005 on Universities and University Colleges with certain exceptions given for the private HEIs and the university colleges under the auspices of the ministries of justice and defence respectively. A board with external representatives is the highest governing body of the state higher education institutions. The institutions cannot be instructed as to the content of their teaching, research or development work.
The overall system of administration and management of the higher education institutions is such that most (non-academic/non-artistic) fields of activity are regulated - either through legislation, royal decrees or regulations, or through agreements between the trade unions and national authorities. The trend is that the texts of such documents have gradually become less detailed. They now outline a framework for scope of decision-making, thereby building up a system of checks and balances in which there is always at least some room for the use of discretionary decisions at the institutions, after due consideration has been given to the need for national policy and national governance. In the field of financial management, for instance, the institutions are free to transfer allocated state funds between budget items (for example between those for salaries and for other ordinary running costs), within the limits laid down in relevant general regulations for all state institutions.