Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Private Schools: Stricter Requirements but No Profit Ban

The Government is planning to tighten the terms for independent schools on several points. An ongoing investigation is now also to propose how state subsidies can be frozen for poorly managed independent schools and how unsuitable individuals can be prevented from owning or influencing an independent school.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 10:45

» Published: 24 September 2024

Private Schools: Stricter Requirements but No Profit Ban
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The investigator Joakim Stymne was given the task last year to propose restrictions, but not a total ban, on profit distribution for private school owners. For example, profit distribution should not be allowed when there are quality deficiencies or when the private school receives state subsidies to improve quality.

Now the task is being expanded, or "the comprehensive renovation of the private school sector continues", as the government puts it. However, it is still not relevant to ban profit-driven private school owners.

"Lower surplus"

We're doing this because we see extensive deficiencies in schools today, and a lot that are extra large in private schools. It concerns not least when companies have acquired schools that were for sale for some reason. But in the end, you can't just focus on the form of operation if the business is of very high quality. If you can with good operations streamline and show a lower surplus, then we don't see that as a problem, says Education Minister Johan Pehrson (L).

The stricter requirement on private school owners is about the fact that today only the principal – for example, the subsidiary in a company responsible for school operations – is liable to follow the Education Act and other regulations and can be held accountable if deficiencies are discovered. But even an unsuitable parent company should be able to be stopped, according to the government.

"See the whole picture"

The investigation is also given the additional task of proposing that the School Inspectorate should be able to act against an entire private school company if the schools in one of the subsidiaries have recurring deficiencies.

The idea is that the School Inspectorate should be able to see the whole picture in a company to a much greater extent, and in that way be able to close down a company's all schools if they see that there are deficiencies in the management of all schools, says Education Minister Lotta Edholm.

Other issues the investigator will review include that private schools that do not meet the requirements should not only be denied profit distribution but also the right to state subsidies. This is something the School Inspectorate has previously called for.

The School Inspectorate has also pointed out that private schools can be bought up by companies that would not have been approved if they had applied to start a private school. This issue is also being raised in the investigation.

The investigation into profits in schools will, among other things, propose:

Profit stop in various situations, for example, if the principal is required to rectify deficiencies in school operations.

Extended owner and management review and stricter sanctions.

According to the additional directives, the investigation will also propose:

Stop for unsuitable owners, possibility to act against an entire company in case of deficiencies, requirement for new approval when operations change or move, and prohibition on state subsidies in case of mismanagement.

A partial report will be submitted in March and the final report in December 2025.

Source: Ministry of Education

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Government Extends Border Control
1 MIN READ

The Government Extends Border Control

Terrorism Suspicions Against Swedes to be Tried in Copenhagen
1 MIN READ

Terrorism Suspicions Against Swedes to be Tried in Copenhagen

Police operation at school – student allegedly stabbed
1 MIN READ

Police operation at school – student allegedly stabbed

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud
2 MIN READ

Unannounced visits, a new weapon against benefit fraud

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark
2 MIN READ

16-year-old convicted of murder plan in Denmark

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support
2 MIN READ

Social Democrats' demands on Kristersson: EU plan for Ukraine support

Suspects Released After School Operation
1 MIN READ

Suspects Released After School Operation

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims
1 MIN READ

The Verdict: Cannabis in the Blood of Pastry Poisoning Victims

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"
2 MIN READ

The Kumla hackers gained access to "almost everything"

Criminal got job as social worker
1 MIN READ

Criminal got job as social worker

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås
1 MIN READ

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors
1 MIN READ

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht
1 MIN READ

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study
1 MIN READ

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed
1 MIN READ

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan
1 MIN READ

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan

"Almost Certain" – 2024 the Warmest Year
2 MIN READ

"Almost Certain" – 2024 the Warmest Year

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump
2 MIN READ

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"
3 MIN READ

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"

Extradited after suspected boat murder
1 MIN READ

Extradited after suspected boat murder