In the fall of 2022, the School Inspectorate launched an investigation into Learn for Life, a Montessori school in Varberg municipality, following reports of misconduct from both Varberg and Mark’s municipalities. During the investigation, it was discovered that the school had an unauthorized branch called The Montessori Center for Work and Study, also known as the Farm School, several miles away from the Varberg school. The unauthorized branch, located in Marks municipality, had eleven students, three Swedish and eight foreign, attending it. Eva Hansson, an investigator at the School Inspectorate, expressed her surprise at the revelation and explained that controlling an approved activity becomes difficult when operated somewhere else without permission. The investigation also highlighted other shortcomings, including the use of digital aids, teaching only in English at the Farm School, and teachers without Swedish credentials grading students. The school’s Varberg pre-school class was also found to have been conducted without permission. The School Inspectorate ordered the school to take 14 measures across five different areas and cease school activities. Failure to do so could result in a fine of SEK 300,000. The Inspectorate described the deficiencies as serious and extensive, and further steps could be taken if the school fails to address them. Multiple attempts to reach the Montessori school for comments have been unsuccessful.
During the fall of 2022, the School Inspectorate began an investigation into the Montessori school Learn for Life located in the municipality of Varberg. They had received information about misconduct both from Varberg’s and Mark’s municipalities. During the investigation it emerged that the school in Varberg had a branch in Sätila in the municipality of Marks, several miles from the school in Varberg.
School several miles away – without permission
The school in Mark’s municipality is called The Montessori Center for Work and Study but is called the Farm School. The school is on a farm and next to the farm there are pigs.
During the investigation, however, it emerged that the school only had permission to teach in Varberg and not in the municipality of Mark, which was the first to report on Mark-Posten.
– If you have an approval for a certain activity, there is an opportunity to control that activity. But if you then have the activity somewhere else that we don’t know about, it becomes very difficult to control, says Eva Hansson, investigator at the School Inspectorate.
At the school in Sätila, which was thus run without any permission, during the fall of 2022 eleven students attended, three Swedish and eight foreign.
Investigator: “Haven’t heard of it before”
During the investigation, a principal says that junior high school students could have chosen between going to school in Sätila or Varberg, but that all students in grades 6 to 9 since 2018 have gone to the school in Marks municipality.
– During the years that I have worked, I have not heard of anything like this, it is probably unusual, says Eva Hansson.
How come it hasn’t come to light sooner, yet it’s been like this for at least five years?
– A School Inspectorate cannot be everywhere all the time, that is the simple answer. But then it is also the case that as an authority we do not always look at all things all the time, we go out at different times, on different occasions and look at different things.
Eva Hansson, investigator at the School Inspectorate. Image: Lotte Sjöberg
During the investigation of the schools that have a foundation as their principal, more shortcomings emerged than that they were conducting school activities without a permit.
Deficiencies were also discovered regarding the use of digital aids, that teaching is only conducted in English at the Farm school and that teachers without Swedish credentials give grades. Even the school’s pre-school class in Varberg has been conducted without any permission.
Risk several hundred thousand kroner in fines
In total, the School Inspectorate has decided that the school must take 14 measures in five different areas. Among other things, they must cease school activities. Otherwise, the school risks a fine of SEK 300,000. They have until mid-September to correct the deficiencies.
The School Inspectorate describes it as serious and extensive deficiencies.
– There is a lot that needs to be fixed, says Eva Hansson.
According to Eva Hansson, the School Inspectorate can take even tougher measures if it turns out that the school has not remedied the deficiencies.
– If an independent school does not remedy serious deficiencies, despite the fact that they have received an order from us, we can withdraw the permit for the school. Then the school cannot continue its activities, but is forced to close, says Eva Hansson.
GP has applied to the Montessori school Learn for Life and The Montessori Center for Work and Study without feedback.
READ ALSO: List: Here are the most popular schools in Borås
READ ALSO: In Borås, infants can start preschool
READ ALSO: The students’ folk festival is canceled – again: “Sad if our generation kills it”
Under the “Borås” tab on gp.se you will find all the news from our editorial office in Borås – collected in one place. Click HERE to go directly to the site.
Do you want to know more about how GP works with quality journalism? Read our ethical rules here.