Lund – the best school municipality in Sweden 2008 Ingela.hyddmark@lund.se

The Swedish school system The governments vision: Sweden should be a leading knowledge nation and a prominent research nation.

The Swedish schoolsystem

The steering system The Swedish school system is a goal-based system with a high degree of local responsibility. The main responsibility lies with the municipalities and authorities responsible for independent schools. The overall national goals are set out by Swedish Parliament and Government in: The Education Act Curricula Course syllabi for compulsory school etc. Program goals for upper secondary school

Curricula Lpfö 98 Curriculum for the Preschool Lpo 94 Curriculum for the Compulsory School System, the Preschool Class and the Leisure-time centre Lpf 94 Curriculum for the Non-compulsory School System

The pre-school system the first step in lifelong learning The pre-school system is intended for children from one year old and until they start in pre-school class or compulsory school. Pre-school today is an intrinsic part of the daily lives of families with children and a precondition for being able to combine parenthood with employment.

The pre-school system the first step in lifelong learning Since the autumn of 1998, pre-schools have had their own curriculum in the form of an ordinance. The Parliament and the Government determine the curriculum, national goals and guidelines of the pre-school and school age childcare systems. Within these frameworks, the individual municipality decides how activities are to be run.

The pre-school system the first step in lifelong learning The pedagogical principles of the pre-school curriculum are based on the idea that care and the learning situation are linked. The importance of play in the child's learning and development is also emphasized, as are the child's own activities.

The pre-school class The pre-school class is a voluntary form of school within the state school system. The aim of education in pre-school classes is to stimulate each child's development and learning and provide the basis for his/her future school career Pre-school classes share their curriculum, Lpo 94, with compulsory school and out-of- school centres. Today approximately 96 per cent of all six- year-olds go to pre-school classes.

Compulsory schools Sweden has nine years of compulsory schooling from seven years old with an option of a voluntary school start at six years. The Swedish Education Act stipulates that all children and young people must have access to education of equal value, irrespective of gender, their geographical place of residence and their social and financial situations. Alongside the state school system are independent schools, open to all. Independent schools must be approved The Swedish School Inspectorate.

Compulsory schools Schooling in independent schools must have the same objectives as municipal schools but may, for example, have an ethnic or educational profile that differs from that of municipal schools. One of the oldest independent school in Sweden is The Estonian school in Stockholm, founded in 1945 (15th of March).

Compulsory schools The Swedish Parliament and Government set the goals and guidelines for work in the school system. The municipality is responsible for undertaking educational activities within the frameworks set by the state in the Education Act, national curriculum and other ordinances. The municipality is also responsible for schools being given the resources and conditions they need to provide education that is equally good throughout the country. It is also in charge of the follow-up and evaluation of schools.

Upper Secondary School In today's upper secondary schools there are approximately 390 000 pupils taught by approximately 39 500 teachers. Upper secondary school is free of charge and non-compulsory. Almost all pupils continue from compulsory school to upper secondary school. Upper secondary school is divided into 17 three- year national programmes, 13 of which are vocational programmes and four of which are preparatory programmes for higher education

A new school paradigm A new curriculum/ordinance (30/9) for the pre-school A new curriculum and ordinance for the Compulsory School 2011 A new Upper Secondary School 2011 A new school law 2011 The Swedish School Inspectorate.

Eesti Maja Lundis Estniska Huset i Lund