education

Miserable level of education in Vennesla

In 1997 a survey regarding the number of college/university students between 19 - 24 years was carried out. In Vennesla only 16,5 per cent of this segment of the population were students, while the national average was 26,9 per cent.

In the county of Vest-Agder the student segment constituted 27,2 per cent ,which is relatively high. Despite this, it was spectacularly low in our district. In comparison Kristiansand boasted 28,9 per cent, and Lindesnes as high percentage as 30,4. Closest to Vennesla was Kvinesdal, 20,9 per cent.

This is downright scary. When we consider the uncertain future of traditional industry in the district, it is very unfortunate that there are so few students here. Research has also shown that the number of academics living in Vennesla is rather low. Experts claim that the traditional Vennesla industry will not exist for ever, and it might be a good idea to communicate this to the youths.

A survey showed that two thirds of boys born in Vennesla in 1970 still live here. Only half of the girls still live in the district. The boys live more traditional lives than the girls do. They choose industrial work which do not require higher education. They often "play safe", and follow in the footprints of fathers and grandfathers. Children whose parents have taken higher education often follow a more modern, mobile pattern.

It is the sociologist Ole Trygve Stigen who has researched and written a thesis on this subject. He concludes that the men are carriers of a working class culture, and in a district where the working class is dominant it is not difficult for young males to find a place within this system. The female, however, plays a subordinate part in this culture, even nowadays. The traditional qualities and structures of Vennesla are based on this working class culture and Lutheran Christianity. These may not be ideally suited to modern information technology , which requires college/university education.

We have to be prepared for the possibility that such a transition also may change old , traditional values.

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