Sweden's Government Shifts Education Policy, Reallocates £157 Million for Textbooks
Sweden's government has unveiled a new educational directive, emphasising physical books, paper, and pens in classrooms, a marked departure from its previous digital-first approach. The policy, backed by over GBP#157 million in grants for textbooks and teacher guides, seeks to counteract falling literacy levels.
This shift has drawn criticism from technology firms, educators, and computer scientists. They contend that this analogue pivot could hinder pupils' future employment prospects and potentially undermine Sweden's prominent tech sector.
Historically, Sweden embraced digital learning, with approximately 80% of municipal state-funded high school pupils having individual access to digital devices by 2015. The previous government even mandated tablet use in pre-schools from 2019, aiming to prepare young children for an increasingly digital world.
However, the current right-wing coalition, which assumed power in 2022, is steering education in a different direction, promoting a 'from screen to binder' philosophy. Joar Forsell, an education spokesperson for the Liberal party, articulated the government's aim to minimise screen time, especially for younger pupils.
The government maintains that reduced screen exposure fosters improved concentration and strengthens writing and reading skills. From 2025, pre-schools will no longer be obliged to use digital tools, and tablets are not to be provided to children under two. A nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools, even for educational purposes, will be enforced later this year. A new curriculum reinforcing textbook-based learning is slated for 2028.
PISA Scores and Digital Distractions Inform Policy
This policy reorientation follows a 2023 consultation and is partly a response to Sweden's performance in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) PISA rankings. After a decline in 2012 and a subsequent dip in maths and reading in 2022, Sweden's literacy scores in 2022 were below those of the UK, US, Denmark, and Finland. Almost a quarter of 15-16 year-old students failed to achieve a basic level of reading comprehension.
Dr Sissela Nutley, a neuroscientist affiliated with the Karolinska Institute, noted increased awareness of technological disruption in classrooms, citing research suggesting digital text consumption can impede information processing and heavy screen use may affect younger children's brain development.
An OECD report from January, while acknowledging pupil benefits from digital tools, highlighted significant digital distractions in Swedish classrooms. It found a correlation between heavy digital device use in maths lessons and lower results, though scores remained higher than for those using no digital devices.
Economic Concerns and Digital Divide Warnings
The business community has voiced strong opposition. The Swedish Edtech Industry trade association warns that an analogue education risks underpreparing pupils for future jobs, citing an EU estimate that 90% of future jobs will require digital skills. Jannie Jeppesen, CEO of the association, expressed concern that a lack of IT competencies could lead tech 'unicorns' like Spotify and Legora to relocate.
Prof. Linnéa Stenliden of Linköping University's Department of Behavioral Sciences cautioned that delaying AI education for younger children could exacerbate a 'digital divide,' favouring those from affluent backgrounds with greater parental support in AI literacy. However, Forsell countered that foundational skills must precede AI instruction, rejecting claims that the traditional approach would widen inequality.
