More educational places proposed

More educational places in 2010 and 2011

The economic crisis has had a defining effect on the world for almost a year. In order to tackle both the economic downturn and the increasing youth population, the Government is proposing that adult education be temporarily expanded, with more places available in 2010 and 2011. If we are well educated, we will be better equipped when the economic situation turns around.

Municipal adult education (Komvux) offers both academic and vocational upper secondary level education. In the 2010 Budget Bill the Government proposes that an additional sum of around SEK 2 billion be added to the government grant to Komvux for the period 2010-2011. This equates to at least 10 000 places per year, including the cost of financial support to students. The final result in terms of number of places will depend on the distribution between academic and vocational programmes.

Since 1 July 2009, post-secondary vocational studies that do not come under the aegis of universities have been brought together under the umbrella of higher vocational education. In the 2010 Budget Bill, the Government proposes a temporary investment in 3 000 places in higher vocational education from the autumn term 2010 and throughout 2011, at a cost of SEK 440 million including financial support to students.

Investment in educational places in the 2010 Budget Bill, including the cost of financial support to students

Municipal adult education (Komvux) year 2010, 1 080 (in SEK million)
Municipal adult education (Komvux) year 2011, 860 (in SEK million)

Higher vocational education year 2010, 146 (in SEK million)
Higher vocational education year 2011, 294 (in SEK million)

Total year 2010, 1 226 (in SEK million)
Total year 2011, 1 154 (in SEK million)

Teachers and the teaching profession

The Government proposes several investment initiatives for the country's teachers and to make the teaching profession more attractive.

Among other initiatives, it intends to allocate SEK 52 million in 2011 and SEK 50 million in 2012 to strengthen the status of the teaching profession and the quality of teacher education. The Government intends to return to the details of these investments at a later date.

In connection with the launch of the new teacher education programme, expected to take place in the autumn term 2011, the Government also wants to invest SEK 19 million in a campaign to raise young people's interest in the teaching profession.

In order to increase the opportunities for unqualified teachers to supplement previous studies, and thereby gain a degree in education, the Government is proposing a total investment of SEK 84 million over the period 2010-2012.

Measures to implement school reforms

There are a large number of reforms currently under way in the education system, including a new upper secondary school, a new Education Act and a new grading scale. In order for the reforms to have an impact, they need to enjoy broad support from school authorities and head teachers. The Government is therefore proposing that a total of SEK 225 million be invested over the period 2010-2012 in measures designed to implement various school reforms.

A more ambitious Education Act

The Government considers that the new Education Act can be applied from the autumn of 2011. Since there is a higher level of ambition in the new Education Act than in the old one, municipal expenditure will increase. The Government therefore proposes, among other measures, that the municipalities be allocated an additional SEK 15.5 million in 2011 and SEK 31 million in 2012 to support health in schools. To support the right to access to a school library, it is proposed that the municipalities receive SEK 12 million in 2011 and SEK 25 million in 2012.