As part of the reform of the education system, the current kindergarten class is to be replaced with a mandatory additional year in primary school. This means that six-year-olds will start education one year earlier than they currently do. The changes are to come into effect from autumn 2028 – says “The Guardian“.
Sweden prepares reform of education system. There is criticism
Swedish Minister of Education Johan Pehrson emphasised that the reform is to strengthen the foundations of education, including early reading, writing and mathematics. – This should provide students with better opportunities to develop basic skills, he said.
Critics say the reform contradicts research that shows that development kids is best supported by play-based learning. – By pushing six-year-olds into more formal school environments, we risk losing the fundamental play-based methods that have been shown to support children's development. This is not just a pedagogical preference: research confirms that play is fundamental to early learning and the development of key skills such as language and problem-solving, emphasises Christian Eidevald, visiting professor of early childhood education at Södertörn University.
Sweden has banned tablets and laptops from schools
At the beginning of 2024, the Swedish authorities decided to withdraw screens (including tablets and laptops) from kindergartens and younger grades of primary schools. At the same time, primary schools returned to traditional exams using printed text, pencil or pen. – Digital teaching aids should only be introduced at a later age, when instead of distracting, they will support students – explained Education Minister Lotty Edholm.
A similar decision regarding screens was made in the city of Riihimaki in Finlandwhere in recent years schools have been giving out free laptops for students from the age of 11 – says Reuters AgencyAs of this fall, young students will no longer have access to screens in schools, with traditional books and notebooks being reintroduced instead.