An Education Act for knowledge, choice and security

The Education Act, which is one of Sweden's most extensive laws and covers everything from preschool to adult education, has been completely revised. The amendments proposed apply to a range of different areas, such as the legal rights of pupils and custodians and tougher sanctions for use by the Swedish Schools Inspectorate. The draft Education Act also contains proposals that reinforce the right of pupils to learn as much as possible.

FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL

General overview
One important principle underlying the proposal is that the new Education Act will have a clear and simple structure with rules that, as far as possible, are common to all school forms and organisers.

The proposal makes preschool a separate form of school. Independent school and preschools will be part of the school system and independent schools will have to comply with the same regulatory framework as municipal schools. One result is that, with certain limited exceptions, they will have to follow syllabuses and curriculums and set grades.

The Swedish Schools Inspectorate will be able to use tougher sanctions on education organisers who are found wanting. The agency's most important sanctions will be:
- the ability to issue conditional financial penalties;
- the power to take action by itself to rectify unsatisfactory conditions in a municipal school;
- the ability to withdraw the permits of schools that receive repeated action orders in the same matter; and
- the ability to close a school with immediate effect in particularly serious cases.

Focus on knowledge
The rights of pupils in need of support and help will be clarified. The provisions requiring schools to investigate a pupil's need for special support will be made clearer and it will be possible to appeal decisions on action programmes.

From year 7 of compulsory school, admission tests for special profile classes will be permitted for pupils with special proficiency in a particular subject.

Stronger rights
Under the proposal, pupils have to have access to a school doctor, school nurse, psychologist and social worker in the school health service. Pupils also have to have access to study and vocational guidance. Moreover, all pupils have to have access to a school library. These rules also apply to independent schools.

Anyone who has been refused a place in a special needs school because of "substantial financial and organisational difficulties" will have stronger legal rights.

More security and a quieter study environment
The general powers of teachers and headteachers are clarified. In addition, a ladder of sanctions is introduced with more disciplinary measures for pupils who disturb other pupils security and study environment. New measures proposed:
- "morning detention";
- a written warning, even in compulsory school; and
- temporary suspension, even in compulsory school.

Other proposals
Other proposals include enabling the Swedish Schools Inspectorate to examine what grants a school is receiving, a requirement for school meals to be nutritious, and cuts in red tape. In addition, the possibility of repeating upper secondary courses in adult education to improve pass grades already awarded will disappear.

Two separate inquiries relating to the Education Act will be appointed: one on the possibility of introducing pilot schemes for flexible school starts and one on reviewing grades.

Timetable
The proposal will now be referred for consultations. The Government intends to present a bill on a new Education Act in spring 2010 and the Act could then come into force on 1 July 2011.