Letter to the editor: ViteMeir must be included in the national budget

Torstein Tvedt Solberg and Torbjørn Vereide from the Labor Party published this letter to the editor in Porten og Sogn Avis on Wednesday 11 November

ViteMeir has impressed us all. The government does not have that. When a science center that delivers so solidly, in both subjects and collaboration, is forgotten in the Høgre, Venstre and KRF's state budget, then it is something we in the Labor Party cannot accept. ViteMeir deserves better.

Value-class quality project

Even if the doors won't open until next autumn, they have ViteMeir already achieved a lot. With a collaborative model where both the schools and business are involved in everything from planning to implementation, it is perhaps not so surprising. Now they are well on the way to becoming a science center that is at the very top of the country.

Worth every penny

This science center will be an important tool for schools and teachers to create interest in both technology and science. "All children are explorers at heart. They are curious, and they find it exciting to take on good challenges. Unfortunately, there are many who lose the spark and fall away if it becomes too theoretical and sedentary.

Precisely then, the science center here at Kaupanger will be in the spotlight. Here they can see it in practice. Everything from water power and descent to geometry and mathematics. The communication becomes active, and it becomes engaging. Not least want to ViteMeir could help create interest and recruitment for an area of expertise that our country really needs in the future. It is worth every penny.

Now we must take the fight

When Høgre, Venstre and KRF put in support for all science centers in the whole country without exception ViteMeir , then it is no wonder that people react. State co-financing is decisive for ViteMeir its business model. We have to take that seriously.

In the Labor Party, we have put in the millions needed in our alternative budget. It should just be missing. This is about team play. ViteMeir will be positive for our entire region. Now we have to do our part. ViteMeir must enter the state budget!

Torbjørn Vereide
County council representative for AP
Faction leader in the Business Committee 

Torstein Tvedt Solberg
Member of Parliament for AP
Education and Research Committee