High Proportion of Students with Foreign Background Struggling to Obtain High School Qualifications, Report Finds
Jan O Jonsson and Carina Mood have released a report addressing alarming reports from primary schools with a high number of students with a foreign background who lack high school qualifications. The findings were presented to the Expert Group for Studies in Public Economics (ESO) and shed light on the challenges faced by students with a foreign background.
The study followed 5,000 students born in 1996 from primary school to employment at the age of 25-26. The results indicated that students who arrived in Sweden after turning nine years old encountered the most difficulties in obtaining high school qualifications. However, for those who arrived at a younger age, the difference compared to students with a Swedish background was minimal.
The authors of the report pointed out that when a Swedish school is criticized, it is primarily due to the country’s high level of immigration, which has resulted in a significant number of students arriving at an age when it becomes challenging to catch up with the school system.
Interestingly, the report also highlighted a pattern of high ambitions and demanding study choices among those with a foreign background, despite their lower average merit values. It revealed that 36 percent of individuals with a foreign background immediately pursued university studies after high school, compared to only 18 percent among those with a Swedish background. Additionally, at the age of 25-26, a higher percentage of individuals with a foreign background had graduated compared to their Swedish counterparts.
These findings demonstrate the importance of providing support and resources to students with a foreign background, particularly those who arrive in Sweden after a certain age. By ensuring equal access to education and opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, Sweden can strive to bridge the educational gap and foster a more inclusive society.
Source: Ekot in Sveriges Radio