SVT Sápmi has previously told about a record number of applicants for the courses in Northern Sami in both Kautokeino, on the Norwegian side, and in Uppsala.
As for the beginner’s course in Lule Sami, which starts in Umeå in the autumn, the numbers are not as encouraging.
67 percent fewer applicants
Eleven people have applied, compared to 33 at the latest course start in 2021. This means a reduction of 67 percent.
That the applications have decreased by two-thirds is not good, says municipal councilor Roland Boman, who represents the local party Framtid in Jokkmokk municipality, FiJ.
Important for Jokkmokk
– It is never a good thing that fewer people apply for educations that are important to us in Jokkmokk municipality, says Roland Boman.
Lule Sami is one of the smaller Sami languages and is spoken in Jokkmokk and Gällivare municipalities and around Tysfjord on the Norwegian side.
In school and care
For Jokkmokk municipality, Lule Sami competence is important.
– It is on the teachers’ side, and I see that from time to time we have problems with recruiting. Even to a certain extent in care for the elderly, it requires people who can master the Lulsesam language, says Roland Boman.