Preventive Measures to Promote Well-Being
Many lower secondary school students face challenges related to mental health or school motivation. This can lead to increased absenteeism and reduced well-being. Traditional school environments do not always succeed in meeting students’ needs for support and practical learning. There is a need for early intervention and preventive efforts to stop these challenges from becoming long-term issues.
Innovative Collaboration to Prevent Dropout
To address these challenges, Lier Municipality, Ferd Social Entrepreneurs, and Trygg av natur have established a collaborative initiative. The goal is to reduce the risk of dropout among students who are at risk of losing motivation and engagement. Trygg av natur offers outdoor learning experiences that help students build confidence and social skills, while also developing effective coping strategies and a belief in their own abilities.
Target Group
The initiative primarily targets middle school students (typically aged 12–16) experiencing challenges with mental health, motivation, or social skills, and who are at risk of dropping out or becoming disengaged from school.
Impact Performance
We entered into the contract in 2019, and the last results will be measured in 2025. The contract is structured as follows: One part of the contract’s commitment ties short- and long-term impact goals to the repayment of 50% of the total investment. The other part of the contract ties performance goals for Lier’s own teachers to the continuation of nature schools under the municipality’s own management.
Short-term goals
Teachers and students report improvements related to life mastery, reduced stress and pressure, etc. This goal has been partially achieved. When measuring the short-term results, we experienced that the agreed measurement methods for the short-term indicator did not show satisfactory progress. It was decided to do a qualitative assessment, and the results showed the desired effect of Naturskolen on the students. Because of the change in measuring method the repayment of investment was converted to a grant for implementation of Naturskolen for primary school.
Long-term goals
Reduced dropout rates from upper secundary school (VGS) among the group that participated in the Naturskolen. We are waiting to see if the long-term goal of reduced dropout rates is met when the school year 2024/2025 ends in June this year.
Continuation goal: This goal has been achieved, and Naturskolen was run by the municipality to an extended target group over a two-year period.
Visit the website for more information on Trygg av natur.