FULL SUPPORT: Minister of Education Guri Melby became heavily involved in the debate on armaments at the school. Now she also strikes a blow for the 15-year-old who dared to speak out. Photo: Xueqi Pang
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She believes that it is completely unacceptable that Lona Altinpinar is exposed to provocation and threats.
– Those who do it should simply be ashamed. This is not how we should feel.
The 15-year-old thinks the statement of support from Melby makes it easier to stand in the heat.
– I hear that I shit myself out, but now I can point out that Melby agrees with me.
– Felt like school was trying to hang me out
The principal has previously stated to VG that they has received exclusively positive feedback after the police lecture.
Lona Altinpinar is not impressed with how the school has handled the situation. She feels that there is no room for expression in cases that can be perceived as critical of the school.
The 15-year-old says that the teacher, the day after the VG article, started the class with what was perceived as a direct stab at her.
– The principal had obviously asked all the teachers to say that it is illegal to take pictures in the classroom. It felt like they were trying to hang me out.
The principal at the school denies in an email that she has not instructed teachers to warn against taking pictures. She says “teachers at the school have on their own initiative reflected together with the students on current issues”.
Despite a lot of opposition: One teacher took Tia aside, she says.
– He told me how proud he was of me.
Principal: She has our full support
I completely distance myself from the neatness that our student is now exposed to, says principal Hjørdis Østerbø in a written response.
– The student has our full support and knows that our doors are always open. I am sorry for this strain the student has received, and the municipality encourages to report such harassment to the police.
The principal emphasizes that she cannot comment on individual students. On a general basis, she says that the school immediately initiates investigations if they become aware that students feel violated at school.
– If the investigation shows that the student has been violated, we implement measures in collaboration with the student and the home in accordance with current regulations.