Areas of responsibility

• The pre-school system

  The Swedish childcare system includes pre-school activities for children between one and six years of age (for those who do not attend a pre-school class or school-age childcare) and school-age childcare for school children of six to twelve years of age. The pre-school system consists of pre-schools, family day-care homes and open pre-schools. School-age childcare consists of family day-care homes and out-of-school centres.

• The pre-school class

  The pre-school class is a voluntary form of school within the state school system. Municipalities are required to offer children places in pre-school classes from the autumn term of the year in which a child turns six until the child starts his/her compulsory schooling.

• Compulsory school and other compulsory types of school

  The compulsory school system comprises primary and lower secondary schools, Sami schools, special schools for students with impaired sight, hearing or speech, and special needs schools for students with learning disabilities. Schooling is compulsory and free of charge. Parents do not usually incur any costs for teaching materials, school meals, health care or school transport.

• Most children with hearing impairments and nearly all visually impaired and disabled children are taught in compulsory schools. However, deaf children and children with serious hearing impairments go to special schools. Special schools comprise ten grades and are to provide education that is equivalent, as far as possible, to that given in compulsory schools. There are also special schools for deaf children or children with hearing impairments who are intellectually disabled.

• Special needs schools are available for intellectually disabled children. Compulsory special needs schools comprise nine grades, either at primary and lower secondary special needs schools or training schools. Children with minor intellectual disabilities go to primary and secondary special needs schools. Training schools are for students who are so intellectually disabled that they are unable to benefit from education at special needs schools at primary and lower secondary levels. Students at special needs schools are entitled to a tenth school year.

• Sami children can receive Sami-oriented education in Sami schools. This education corresponds to the first six years of compulsory school.

• Upper secondary school

  Upper secondary schools are divided into 17 three-year national programmes. All these programmes provide basic eligibility for further studies in higher education. Parallel to the national programmes are also specially designed, individual programmes.

• About the school system

  The Swedish Education Act stipulates that all children and young people must have access to equal quality education, irrespective of gender, their geographical place of residence and their social and financial situations. Sweden has nine years of compulsory schooling from the age of seven and education throughout the state school system is free of charge. Alongside the state school system are independent schools, open to all. Independent schools must be approved by the National Agency for Education. Education at independent schools must have the same objectives as municipal schools but may, for example, have a religious or educational profile that differs from that of municipal schools.

• Study financing

  Student aid primarily finances students' living costs during their studies. Student aid is administered by the National Board of Student Aid, CSN. The forms of support that reach the greatest number of people are upper secondary student aid for young students at upper secondary school and post-secondary student aid, which is a combined allowance for students at higher education and other post-upper secondary levels and for adult students at compulsory and upper secondary school levels. Within the post-secondary student aid system, it is also possible for some students to receive supplementary loans and loans for additional costs. An extra child allowance is payable to students with children. There are also certain grants that target special groups in the community.

• Universities and other higher education institutions

  Universities and other higher education institutions in Sweden are autonomous agencies, directly responsible to the Government.

• There are 14 universities and 22 higher education institutions whose principal is the state, which means that responsibility ultimately lies with the state. In addition there are ten or so private education providers, including Chalmers University of Technology, Jönköping University and the Stockholm School of Economics.

• The main task of the state universities and higher education institutions is to organise educational programmes based on scientific or artistic foundations and proven experience.

• Research

  The objective of research policy is that Sweden should be a leading research nation, where research of a high scientific standard is conducted. Every society needs independent researchers who formulate ideas independently and objectively and who analyse, question and actively take part in public debate.

• Formal and liberal adult education

  Swedish adult education is extensive and has a long tradition. Adult education takes many forms, from state or municipal adult education to employment training, staff training or continued professional development in working life. Liberal adult education has a long history in Swedish adult education. It is characterised by the fact that it is "free and voluntary", that is, free from central government control and voluntary for its participants. Liberal adult education primarily includes activities conducted by folk high schools and study associations. The Swedish state allocates just over SEK 2.5 billion per year to liberal adult education.