Education for children and young people

Pupils’ ability to read and understand what they read is the foundation of their learning in all school subjects. The Swedish Government’s school policy aims to get back to basics and re establish a strong knowledge-based school system, with the focus in early grades on fundamental skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Digital learning aids should only be introduced in teaching at an age when they encourage, rather than hinder, pupils’ learning.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jewish life in Sweden. The National Agency for Education has been tasked with raising awareness of this anniversary and presenting proposals on how it can be highlighted in schools.

Minister for Education Johan Pehrson has now presented the Government’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) strategy. The strategy contains objectives to strengthen STEM education in Sweden. A new STEM delegation will also work to get more people studying in those fields.

Young people’s use of mobile phones at school negatively affects their performance. This was the theme when Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm took part in a seminar organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where decision-makers and experts from various countries convened to discuss screen time in classrooms and the consequences of forbidding it.

To combat crime and increase security, investments in the judicial system and criminal law measures must be combined with effective and proactive crime prevention efforts. The Government has therefore presented a national strategy that focuses on social crime prevention measures. The aim includes preventing children and young people from becoming involved in criminal networks and other types of crime.