Compulsory preschool year for six-year-olds to be replaced with extra year in primary school from 2028

Compulsory preschool year for six-year-olds to be replaced with extra year in primary school from 2028

Children in Sweden are to start school at six years old from 2028, a year earlier than at present, in an overhaul of the country’s education system that signals a switch from play-based teaching for younger children.

The government has announced plans to replace a compulsory preschool year for six-year-olds known as förskoleklass with an additional year in grundskola (primary school).

The centre-right coalition government, led by the Moderates and backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, announced the plan before the presentation of the 2025 budget, due on Thursday. The plan dates back to the previous government and is also backed by the left-leaning Social Democrats.

    • Makka@lemmy.oneEnglish
      11·
      2 months ago

      No they start preschool from 1yr old if the parents want, but it is compulsory to enroll at 6. The year for six year olds is also a bit different from the first years with more focus on familiarising with school routines and learning - but still lots of play

    • Jo Miran@lemmy.mlEnglish
      62·
      2 months ago

      Six years old seems late. I started first grade as a four year old and all my other classmates but one were five. I remember first grade because things went from mostly play, naps, and some schooling to nothing but schooling, homework and tutoring.

        • Jo Miran@lemmy.mlEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          I’ll never forget it. It was a workbook to practice writing letters and numbers. I’m sure it was only a single page but it felt like an entire book.

          To answer your question, I went to a British run private school. Think of it as a stereotypical British prep school, down to the uniform, but not in the UK. Also, they jumped me a year because in pre-school I was always sneaking into classes rather than napping or playing.

  • Fixbeat@lemmy.mlEnglish
    124·
    2 months ago

    Put them kids to work! Can’t have anyone enjoying life.

    • Stovetop@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      2 months ago

      My gut had me wanting to say the same thing, but looking at the age ranges, this actually seems reasonable and in line with how many other countries operate. By 6 years old, students in the US are in first grade, for example. Kindergarten a year or two prior as well, which is also compulsory in some states.

  • MTK@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Weren’t they the highest rated school system in the world or something?

    If it aint broke don’t fix it??

    Edit: they were not