Sweden Advances Education Reforms With New Curricula and Later School Start Examined

The Swedish government is introducing major reforms in education, focusing on strengthening core skills and exploring later start times for older students. Skolverket has been tasked with creating new primary school curricula emphasizing reading, writing, and arithmetic. Education Minister Simona Mohamsson stated the curricula will be more comprehensive, clarifying teachers' roles and promoting science-based methods, notably the phonics method for reading instruction. One in four Swedish students struggles with fundamental skills, prompting a shift from vague previous guidelines to clearer, class-wide instruction. Special support will remain for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia through targeted groups or individual assistance. These changes align with the transition to a ten-year primary school system planned for autumn 2028.

Meanwhile, Gothenburg's school board is investigating later start times for high school and gymnasium students to improve academic outcomes and ease rush hour traffic. The proposal, supported across all board parties, draws on research highlighting adolescents’ shifted circadian rhythms, making early mornings less effective for learning. A similar initiative in Borås showed promising preliminary results in student well-being and performance. Despite organizational concerns, stakeholders remain optimistic, with further investigation and discussion scheduled for spring.

These developments reflect Sweden’s commitment to improving educational outcomes by combining evidence-based teaching reforms with accommodating students’ biological needs, signaling a comprehensive approach to future schooling policies.