Increased transparency in independent schools – a step closer

The Government has promised to increase transparency in independent schools. The question is how. Another proposal is now being put on the table, in addition to the two already known.

» Updated: September 18 2024

» Published: August 21 2024

Increased transparency in independent schools – a step closer
Photo: Caisa Rasmussen/TT

The issue of the public's right to insight into privately owned, but tax-funded, schools has been debated and investigated for years. Two possible solutions were presented in an investigation proposal this spring.

One option is that the constitutionally established principle of public access to information should also apply to independent schools, in exactly the same way as for municipal schools.

The other proposal involves a special law on public access to information for independent schools, with certain limitations on the information that independent schools are required to disclose. This proposal was put forward after the current government took office and is in line with the Tidö Agreement. The motivation has been that full public access would be too labor-intensive for small independent school owners.

"Reasonable time"

But now that the report is out for consultation, a third proposal has been added. It was developed at the Government Offices and proposes that independent schools be covered by the principle of public access to information, but that principals who only own one or two schools are not required to provide the same rapid service. A parent, journalist, or anyone else who wants to gain insight into the school's activities should be able to access information "within a reasonable time" and not "promptly". This means, according to the proposal, one week instead of one day. It is also proposed to have milder requirements regarding archiving and how the public can access documents.

Education Minister Lotta Edholm (L) sees two strong reasons why the principle of public access to information should apply to all schools: Firstly, it is the simplest way to ensure future access to statistics on schools, and secondly, the principle of public access to information is well-established.

With a public access law, we risk having to wait and see how it works before we can implement it, she says.

Legal competence

She sees no risk that small independent schools would deliberately delay information.

The idea is to make it manageable for operations that do not have their own lawyers and may have difficulty quickly determining what should be disclosed or not. Information about individual students should not be disclosed, for example.

All opposition parties want the principle of public access to information to be introduced for independent schools. This also applies to the Liberals, who have changed their stance on the issue. The new, third proposal could be seen as a possible way for the Liberals to get the other Tidö parties on board.

We need to have a discussion. But the other Tidö parties have thought it interesting to have this proposal reviewed through a consultation process, says Lotta Edholm.

Anna Lena Wallström/TT

Facts: The three proposals

TT

The three proposals in brief:

1. The principle of public access to information should apply to independent schools in the same way as to municipal schools.

2. A tailored public access law, which provides limited access to independent schools' documents.

3. The principle of public access to information should apply to independent schools, but with lower requirements for the smallest independent school owners. This applies, for example, to how quickly the requested documents should be expedited. Larger independent school owners will have relief rules during the first year that the principle of public access to information comes into effect.

Source: Ministry of Education

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door, No Injuries Reported

Teen Receives Medical Attention After
1 MIN READ

Teen Receives Medical Attention After Dog Bite in Linköping

Man Fined for Explosion Caused
1 MIN READ

Man Fined for Explosion Caused by Attempt to Deep-Fry Chili Cheese

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures
1 MIN READ

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures Three, One Seriously

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö
1 MIN READ

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö Airport Runway

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten
2 MIN READ

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten Global Blood Donation Supply

Riders and Horses Rescued from
1 MIN READ

Riders and Horses Rescued from Bog Near Karlstad Airport

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing
1 MIN READ

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing Boat Near Strömstad

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish
1 MIN READ

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish Mountains: Stay Clear of Steep Slopes

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights
2 MIN READ

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights from a Meteorologist

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as Bird Flu Hits Global Supply

Man Jailed for Missing Military
1 MIN READ

Man Jailed for Missing Military Exercise to Care for Children

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Kalmarposten Closes After 35 Years Due to Advertising Revenue Shortfall

Police Probe Possible Link Between
2 MIN READ

Police Probe Possible Link Between Gislaved Shooting and Värnamo Stabbing

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial
1 MIN READ

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial Site Extinguished

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near
1 MIN READ

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near Swedish Airbase

Two Arrested in Connection with
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested in Connection with Biskopsgården Double Murder

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual
2 MIN READ

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual Assault for Allowing Child to Touch Genitals

Iran Takes Legal Action Against
1 MIN READ

Iran Takes Legal Action Against Sweden and Others Over 2020 Plane Incident

Two Detained in Södermanland Over
1 MIN READ

Two Detained in Södermanland Over Suspected Fatal Incident

Police Recover Escaped Boys from
1 MIN READ

Police Recover Escaped Boys from Sollefteå Sis Home; Investigation Launched

Care Company Profits Millions from
1 MIN READ

Care Company Profits Millions from Unused Elderly Home Spaces

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During
1 MIN READ

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During Hospital Visit in Sweden

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share
1 MIN READ

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share Relief and Longing for Home

Police Seek UK Assistance in
1 MIN READ

Police Seek UK Assistance in Örebro Massacre Investigation

Man Dies from Injuries After
1 MIN READ

Man Dies from Injuries After Helsingborg Apartment Fire

Easter Travel Chaos: Multiple Accidents
2 MIN READ

Easter Travel Chaos: Multiple Accidents Cause Major Traffic Disruptions

Teenage Girl Faces Detention Request
1 MIN READ

Teenage Girl Faces Detention Request for Kidnapping in Karlskrona

Two Seniors Killed in Nordanstig
1 MIN READ

Two Seniors Killed in Nordanstig Traffic Collision

Researchers Find Potential Life Indicators
2 MIN READ

Researchers Find Potential Life Indicators on Distant Planet K2-18b

Fraud Suspects Arrested for Double
1 MIN READ

Fraud Suspects Arrested for Double Murder in Ethiopia

Dual Medication Approach Reduces Heart
3 MIN READ

Dual Medication Approach Reduces Heart Attack Risks, Swedish Study Finds

Gothenburg Family Sentenced for Cultivating
1 MIN READ

Gothenburg Family Sentenced for Cultivating and Selling Drug Mushrooms

Woman Hospitalized After Dog Attack
1 MIN READ

Woman Hospitalized After Dog Attack in Tyringe

Vasa Ship's Herring Offers Clues
1 MIN READ

Vasa Ship's Herring Offers Clues on Fish Adaptation to Climate Change

Forest Fire Near Uppsala Contained,
1 MIN READ

Forest Fire Near Uppsala Contained, Extinguishing Efforts Continue