The project is open to all high schools in Norway and normally about 70 % of the schools participate in the elections . They are normally preceded by a debate with politicians from the different youth parties . In 2011 , the debates were canceled because the election took place only a few months after the 2011 Norway attacks . Instead , it was held elections square where the different parties had stands where they presented themselves to the students . In 2013 , schools either held debates , elections markets or a combination of both . The election debates are often more ideological and confrontational than ordinary political debates . They have been criticised for being populistic and circus-like
2011 Norway attacks
2011 Norway attacks
School Election Project