As of Thursday, November 5, schools across the country had reported 963 cases of physical violence, according to statistics from the Swedish Work Environment Authority. That is slightly more than the total for all of 2025 or 2024, and more than twice the number of cases reported in 2016.
Including reports of threats and robberies at school, the number of cases so far this year rises to 1,250 - also a very high figure in historical terms.
But the reality is even tougher than the statistics suggest. The Swedish Work Environment Authority has previously found that violence against students is underreported.
A very large proportion of the reports therefore concern staff who have been affected. The picture of employees becoming more vulnerable over time is reinforced by rising sick leave due to violence or threats.
Needed to be fixed
Teachers, principals and safety representatives in several places have testified this autumn to escalating problems with students attacking school staff.
The situation is completely unsustainable. Students throw chairs and scissors. One employee had his cast removed, another was beaten and needed six stitches in the face, says Simon Sandström, a primary school teacher and chief safety representative for the Swedish Teachers' Association in Stockholm.
The union has called for, among other things, more special education teachers, mobile emergency teams and more permanent emergency schools for younger children.
It's worst in primary school. This means eight- and nine-year-olds, says Simon Sandström.
Not receiving support
When the Swedish Work Environment Authority analyzed violence and threats in schools a couple of years ago and carried out a major inspection, it found that incidents involving students acting out were the most common - in all grades, but especially in the higher grades, says Kristian Hansson, an expert at the Swedish Work Environment Authority.
It's not about children becoming mean, it's about students who need support in some way and aren't getting that need met.
Larger student groups
Simon Sandström points to cuts in schools.
There are fewer and fewer staff and larger and larger student groups. It's clear that things are getting messy. We also have many students who shouldn't be in regular classes, but should be with adequately trained staff who can handle aggression and train students in social relationships.
In Stockholm, unions are in discussions with the education administration. Chief Safety Officer Simon Sandström is optimistic nonetheless.
We feel that we have both politicians and the education administration on board with these issues, and that we are probably actually achieving what we have demanded.
What do you think?