During the first eleven months of 2024, 355 reports were made to the authorities, which is 57 percent more than during the entire 2019.
Five out of six reports concern violence against school staff and the rest concern violence between students.
According to the Work Environment Authority, it often involves staff being unable to handle children in need of support. Parallel to the increase in violence reports, sick leave due to violence has also increased.
For us, it's not just numbers, it's our reality. Many think it's a socio-economic problem, but this exists throughout the country, in many classrooms, says Anna Olskog, chair of the Swedish Teachers' Union, to SVT.
Education Minister Lotta Edholm (L) calls the situation unacceptable and demands that both parents and schools take greater responsibility for "putting their foot down".
What responsibility do you have as Education Minister?
I have a great responsibility. For example, to change legislation that makes teachers' authority clearer and a responsibility to increase resources, she says to SVT.
