A proposal to make primary school ten years old is expected to come in November. In the government's budget proposal, 194 million kronor in 2028 and 389 million kronor in 2029 are already set aside for the municipalities' increased costs.
A ten-year primary school was investigated as early as 2021 and was also the goal of the previous Social Democratic government.
The goal is a school that goes back to basics and gives all students a very strong platform to stand on, says Pehrson.
Three hours a day
Preschool is already compulsory today, but as year one in primary school, it means changes for children and teachers.
It will be a greater focus on learning to count, read, and write early, says Pehrson.
On the question of how tough it will be for six-year-olds to attend the new year one, he responds.
It's not uniquely difficult in any way.
The investigation proposed that teaching time in year one should be limited to three hours a day.
For preschool teachers, the reform means they need to retrain. However, it may be possible to have a five-year transition period before the new qualification requirements are introduced.
It's a naturally thinkable solution, says Mathias Bengtsson, education policy spokesperson for the Christian Democrats.
More emergency schools
Other investments in schools are also being made in the budget. The government proposes a strengthening of the so-called knowledge grant with 700 million kronor for 2025. The money is to be used for more staff in schools, including teachers and special teachers.
The state grant for higher quality in preschool is also proposed to be increased, with 900 million kronor to 2025. The money can be used, for example, for recruiting staff, developing preschool teachers' skills, and reducing the size of childcare groups.
In the budget, a new investment of 850 million kronor is also being made in discipline and study environment. This includes 100 million kronor for emergency schools to quickly address discipline problems.
By temporarily relocating a student to, for example, an emergency school, the acute situation can be handled while long-term solutions are investigated, says SD's education policy spokesperson Patrick Reslow.
The government is also proposing an increase in the state grant for purchasing new textbooks with 200 million kronor in 2025.
Total school investments in 2025 amount to 2.8 billion kronor.
