Government newsletter, 23 August 2011
Back to school
This week, school bells will be ringing in a new school year. The autumn term 2011 marks the start of a historic year for the Swedish school system. Swedish schools are being completely overhauled. Pupils, teachers and parents will encounter a new Education Act, new curricula, a new upper secondary school, a new grading scale and apprenticeship programmes. The aim is to create a world-class school system in which every pupil is stimulated to develop to their full potential.
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Photo: Lena Granefelt/Johnér
The new Education Act
The new Education Act, which has been in force since 1 July this year, contains many important changes. These include:
- Better support to pupils. The rights of pupils in need of support and help will be strengthened. The requirements for schools to assess a pupils need for special support will be clarified and parents who are not satisfied with the help their child receives at school will have new opportunities to have remedial programmes reviewed.
- Greater security and a quieter study environment. Teachers and head teachers general powers will be clarified and more disciplinary measures will be available to deal with pupils who disrupt other pupils security and study environment.
- Increased rights for pupils. Pupils must have access to a school doctor, school nurse, psychologist and social worker in the school health service, as well as access to study and vocational guidance. All pupils must also have access to a school library. School meals must be nutritious.
- Tougher sanctions. The Swedish Schools Inspectorate will be able to use tougher sanctions on schools and municipalities that are found wanting. These include the ability to impose financial penalties and, in particularly serious cases, to close schools with immediate effect.
More levels in new grading scale
From this autumn, pupils will receive grades based on a new scale, with more levels. Grades will be awarded on a scale of A-F. More levels means fairer grades.
New syllabuses and curricula
New syllabuses and curricula are being introduced with clearer goals and increased focus on knowledge.
The new upper secondary school
The upper secondary school system is undergoing major changes. Pupils will be attending a whole new upper secondary school. Changes to the system include the following:
- There are 18 national programmes to choose between, some of them preparatory programmes for higher education, others vocational programmes. Pupils on vocational programmes in the new upper secondary school system will be able to devote more time to their vocational subjects, thereby preparing them better for working life. At the same time, they will have the right to also study for eligibility for higher education, if they wish to do so.
- Apprenticeship training and apprenticeships. From autumn 2011, apprenticeship training will be a permanent part of the upper secondary school system. Around SEK 800 million is being invested in 30 000 apprenticeship places in 20112014. More than half of each programme is to be spent in the workplace.
- Introductory programmes. Five flexible introductory programmes that are adapted to the individual will replace the current individual programmes. The aim is to ensure that more pupils successfully complete upper secondary education.
- Upper secondary engineering programme (T4). A pilot scheme is being launched, introducing a fourth year to the technical programme. This will effectively revive the previous upper secondary engineering programme, for which there is an acute need in the business sector.
In this age of globalisation, Sweden is facing new, major challenges. We must meet them with knowledge. These reforms, in combination with others that are under way or being planned, will bring us closer to our goal of improving results in Swedish schools.
