From 2028, children in Sweden will begin school at age six, a year earlier than the current system, as part of a significant education reform. The Swedish government plans to replace the compulsory preschool year, known as förskoleklass, with an additional year in grundskola (primary school). This shift, initiated by the center-right government and supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, emphasizes early education in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Education Minister Johan Pehrson believes the changes will strengthen children’s foundational skills. However, critics argue that this move undermines the benefits of play-based learning, which research suggests fosters creativity, problem-solving, and language development in young children. Concerns have been raised that the reform could jeopardize preschool teachers’ jobs, as their specialized methods might be neglected.
Experts like Christian Eidevald and Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson criticize the reform for disregarding six-year-olds’ developmental needs and urge investment in improving education quality rather than structural changes. Conversely, some, like Johannes Westberg, support the plan, noting that it aligns Sweden’s education system more closely with the rest of Europe.
The education minister, Johan Pehrson, said “school must go back to the basics” and added that there would be a stronger focus on early learning to read and write, as well as mathematics.
Other proposed educational reforms include investing in emergency schools, increasing textbook usage to reduce screen time, and providing more training for teachers and preschool teachers.
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