Swedish Education Minister, Teachers’ Union Call for Increased School Funding
This is a debate article. The opinions expressed are those of the author, not Aftonbladet.
Published 2026-03-16 15.59
Sweden’s Education Minister Simona Mohamsson and the Swedish Teachers’ Union are urging municipalities to invest a substantial budget surplus into the nation’s schools.
The call comes as the government prepares to introduce reforms aimed at easing the workload of teachers, and as municipalities report a combined surplus of 32 billion Swedish krona (approximately $3 billion USD).
The proposed government reforms, set to be presented to the parliament this spring, would establish limits on teaching hours and minimum time allocations for lesson planning and follow-up. The state is investing 2.6 billion Swedish krona annually to implement these changes, alongside efforts to reduce administrative burdens and increase support for educators. Officials say this represents the most significant overhaul of the Swedish teaching profession in a century.
A recent survey indicates strong support for the reforms among teachers, with many believing they will help retain and attract educators to the profession. Yet, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) has voiced opposition, arguing the proposals interfere with the Swedish model and could lead to cuts in other school programs.
Surplus of over 32 billion Swedish krona
Despite the SKR’s concerns, municipalities collectively reported a surplus exceeding 32 billion Swedish krona last year alone – equivalent to the cost of roughly 50,000 teaching positions. Critics point to ongoing budget cuts in schools across the country despite these substantial surpluses. The situation has prompted calls for greater accountability and responsible investment in education.
Mohamsson and Anna Olskog, chair of the Swedish Teachers’ Union, argue that municipalities have had ample opportunity to address issues within the teaching profession over the past 30 years. They emphasize the need for municipalities to prioritize investment in schools, particularly in areas like reducing class sizes, as highlighted by recent TALIS 2024 data.
“To refuse to strengthen Swedish schools when funds are clearly available is not to uphold the Swedish model – it is to fail teachers and students,” Mohamsson and Olskog stated.
Simona Mohamsson, Sweden’s Education Minister
Anna Olskog, Chair, Swedish Teachers’ Union
