Sweden to Reform Student Support System by 2028

The Swedish government has unveiled a major reform of the student support system, set to commence in autumn 2028. Under this new structure, the existing model for assisting students with special needs will be abolished. Instead, students requiring additional support, particularly those with neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPF), will be separated from mainstream classes and taught in smaller groups by specialized teachers.

The reform, announced by Education Minister Simona Mohamsson, aims to enhance the learning environment by reducing classroom chaos, which she described as akin to 'wild west' conditions. This move is backed by an annual budget allocation of 1.14 billion SEK dedicated to special education across various school types, including primary, secondary, special, and Sami schools.

Identification of students needing special support will now be performed through annual standardized tests, a responsibility handed to the Skolverket, or the Swedish National Agency for Education. Critics of the reform, including parents of students with special needs, have expressed concern about the elimination of previous guarantees for basic literacy and numeracy. However, Mohamsson argues that the initiative represents a necessary shift to accommodate the diverse needs of students and to provide a calmer educational environment for both learners and teachers.