Purchases of learning materials are increasing among Sweden’s municipalities – but from a low level and the differences are still large. There is a difference of more than SEK 1,500 per pupil between the municipality that spends the most compared to the one that has bought in the least, a new survey shows.
In 2022, the municipalities’ purchases of teaching materials increased compared to previous years. But the regional differences are still large, shows a survey carried out by Läromedelföretagen.
“It is not good that access to learning materials varies. All students must have the right to quality learning materials, regardless of where in the country they live,” writes Stefan Persson, chairman of Läromedelsföretagen, in a press release.
At the same time, the trend is going in the right direction. There is a difference of SEK 1,578 between the municipality that spends the most compared to the municipalities that spent the least money on teaching materials. That figure can be compared to 2021, when the same survey showed that the figure was SEK 2,000 between the municipality that bought the most teaching materials compared to the one that spent the least.
Among the counties, it is Västmanland County that tops the list with an average of SEK 1,313 in learning material purchases. Last on the list is Jönköping County with SEK 744 per pupil.