The government's goal is for the investigation to lead to clearer responsibility and higher quality in adult education (komvux) and in SFI education (Swedish for immigrants).
The quality deficiencies are serious, the follow-up is poor and to top it all off, every second SFI student discontinues their studies prematurely, says Minister of Upper Secondary Education, Higher Education and Research Lotta Edholm (L) during a press conference on Thursday.
Among the problems identified by the Swedish School Inspectorate are schools that have given unacceptable grades and municipalities that are lacking in their follow-up. The inspectorate has also pointed out that there is a risk of welfare violations because the operations are run on a contract basis and handle large amounts of money without sufficient scrutiny from the municipalities.
“Serious deficiencies”
The government believes that the municipality's responsibility for education should be clearer.
In review after review, shortcomings are discovered, many times actually quite serious, says Edholm.
The investigation will also examine why the unemployed who have been assigned to municipal adult education are not beginning and completing the training to a low extent, and will propose measures to ensure that more unemployed people receive training through municipal adult education.
More students should start and complete high-quality education. At the same time, control of individual education providers should be tightened and the responsibilities of municipalities should be clarified, says Lotta Edholm.
"Rogue private actors"
Sweden's teachers welcome the investigation in a comment.
"It is a very fragmented school system characterized by unscrupulous private actors and the municipalities have not been able to review them. Therefore, the state needs to take primary responsibility for adult education," writes vice chairman Robin Smith in an email to TT.
Smith also emphasizes that teachers often have "tough conditions in a fast-paced environment characterized by short-termism and premises that lack the right equipment and teaching materials."
The investigation, which is based on an agreement between the Tidö parties, must be reported no later than June 15, 2027.
