Norway schools postpone exams due to Justin Bieber concert

Carly Maga
·Blogger

If you thought the power of the Beliebers was confined to the realms of Twitter and mall meet-and-greets, think again. Even governmental heads are bending to the force that is Justin Bieber fandom.

The 19-year-old pop superstar is continuing his European tour this week in Germany, followed by France and Belgium, and finally hitting Oslo on April 16 and 17. And the Nordic country is already feeling the effects of the star’s upcoming arrival: Five Norway schools have decided to postpone their exams until after the prince of pop has departed.

See also: Justin Bieber turns tattoo artist

According to the Associated Press, the schools of the remote Alesund region made the date change, concerned that the students would skip the tests in order to attend Bieber’s concerts (taking place on a Tuesday and Wednesday). And judging from the reaction to Bieber’s free concert in Oslo last year – the one during which the crowd turned into an ugly mob and injured close to 50 fans – there’s no telling what lengths Norwegian Beliebers will go to when it comes to the “Boyfriend” singer.

Kristin Halvorson, Norway’s minister of education, approved the move.

“The local schools have the responsibility to schedule the local midterms, and if they think there is any reason to change the dates, they have authority to do so,” she told the Associated Press. “I am concerned that students should be concentrating when they take tests and midterms… We've all been 14 years old and know that interests can be intense.”

See also: Justin Bieber: 'I'm very much in control'

Bieber also signed up to perform in a one-hour special to support “The Real Change Project: Artists for Education.” Along with stars like Miley Cyrus, Jason Mraz, LMFAO, and Lady Antebellum, the artists will return to their hometowns to “sponsor” a classroom and talk to the teachers who inspired them in school.

"Teachers are often the unsung heroes, while actors, musicians, and pro athletes get all the praise,” said the founder and CEO of Real Change Productions, Liam Murphy.

It’s a nice move on Bieber’s part to participate in “The Real Change Project” and return to his hometown of Stratford, Ont. But while he inevitably gets decibels and decibels of praise at his two Oslo concerts, let’s hope he doesn’t forget to send a little praise to the teachers who let it happen!