In a contentious decision, the Stange municipality council in Innlandet has voted to close three rural schools: Espa, Åsbygda, and Breidablikk.

Despite significant public opposition, with around 200 demonstrators gathering outside the town hall, the council approved the closures by a vote of 20 to 13. The decision follows intense political debate, including threats of exclusion within the Labour Party, which had initially campaigned to maintain the current school structure.

The closures are part of a broader plan to consolidate educational resources, with the affected schools merging with others in the region.

While the Espa kindergarten was spared, the school closures have sparked a debate on the balance between economic efficiency and community needs.

The new school arrangements are set to be implemented by the next academic year, with further planning underway to ensure a smooth transition.