With the promise of a new law that would mean the biggest change since the independent school reform was carried out in the 90s, the Tidöparties some time ago entered into negotiations about what new guidelines the independent school inquiry appointed by the previous government should receive.
According to SVT’s information, the plan was that it would be ready before the summer. But the negotiations dragged on because several elements were added during the journey, including that the preschool would also be included in the new law.
The negotiations are now at an end and today the government has made a decision on an additional directive, i.e. changed guidelines, for the investigation. According to Education Minister Lotta Edholm, they are so extensive that it will be largely like a new investigation.
– My assessment is that the entire bourgeoisie has made a very big turn on this issue in the past six months, says Edholm and continues:
– It has become increasingly obvious that some independent schools are driven more by their interest in being able to make a profit than by ensuring that the students receive quality teaching that really measures up. And I think more and more people realize that.
Profit ban for schools that misbehave
Exactly what is to be investigated will be presented at a press conference tomorrow Thursday, but it is clear in any case that the directives contain, among other things, profit prohibitions or other profit restrictions. For example, at new schools or for schools that do not behave. And in order for this to be controlled, the investigator must review the possibility of forcing independent school groups to split up their joint-stock companies, so that each school becomes an individual company.
The plan is for the new independent school law to be in place in 2026.
– But it may be that some changes may be in place earlier. That is my hope, says the education minister.