• Sweden edition

Failing pupils to sit extra school year

Published: 14 Jun 09 09:15 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20060/20090614/

Pupils failing to graduate from compulsory level education (grundskola) could be forced to sit an extra year, according to a new government proposal to extend the age of mandatory school attendance to 17-years-old.

Pupils already have the opportunity to attend school for an extra year to boost their grades but are currently freed from legal obligations to attend school after their sixteenth birthday.

"It is permissible to retake a school year, but as compulsory education ends at 16 it means that many drop out," education minister Jan Björklund told Dagens Nyheter.

Björklund explained that the the government proposal, which forms part of a new schools law to be presented on Monday, means that pupils will be offered tailored supervision during the additional school year.

"Some need special resource teachers, some simply need more time," he said.

Björklund reasons that the changes are needed to underline the obligations of the nine-year compulsory level education system to all pupils.

He wants to see the extra year introduced as soon as possible to ensure that pupils do not leave school lacking the basic qualifications for high school (gymnasium) courses.

The extra year could be introduced as early as year three as the first indications of a pupil's progress emerge in conjunction with the first stage of national tests in Swedish and mathematics.

"The purpose of these tests is to catch those who don't make the grade," Björklund told Dagens Nyheter.

The education minister also promised that pupils who wish to voluntarily undergo another year of school would be allowed to do so.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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13:04 June 15, 2009 by tatyana_26
The same rule is applied to Ukrainian system of education.
10:30 June 19, 2009 by lingonberrie
The same rule should apply in the United States.
19:36 July 5, 2009 by The Opinionator
LINGONBERRIE - just so that you know - the same rule DOES apply in the United States. I'm guessing you're probably basing your opinion on one state's system, but I'm here to inform you that in the state where I come from, a student is held back a grade if they don't pass. They'll even be held up to 2 grades if they continue to fail. The only way they are bumped up a grade without passing is if they become too old to be in the class.

You know every country has its pros and cons and I certainly feel that here in Sweden, the schooling system is definitely a downside. A student can clearly show signs of failure and yet they're still passed to the next level. ABSURD! I know this first hand because my husband is a teacher here and complains constantly about the students he receives not being able to comprehend the level in which he teaches. He says the only way they would learn and know it, is knowing the basics and without that, they're clueless. Its a sad case.
23:38 July 16, 2009 by Peanuts
The school system in Sweden used to hold back failed students until LPO94 changed it .
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