The purpose of introducing teacher certification was, among other things, to raise the quality of the teaching profession, increase legal security for students, and increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession.
14 years later, it is established that "The National Audit Office finds no indications that these ambitions have been achieved".
The number of teachers with a pedagogical university degree has remained at the same level as before, while many teach in subjects they are not qualified in.
This is partly due to the fact that the teacher shortage has become greater than expected. The government has tried to solve the shortage by exemptions from certification requirements, but it has in turn led to a low proportion of qualified teachers in certain activities.
The review also shows that certified teachers have been able to continue working despite being convicted of serious crimes.
"The system is not sufficiently well-designed to prevent unsuitable teachers from working in schools. The deficiencies exist both in legislation and in the authorities' responsibilities and powers", says National Auditor Christina Gellerbrant Hagberg.
The National Audit Office is now proposing, among other things, to regularly evaluate exemptions from certification requirements and expand background checks on personnel in the education system.
