New report from Tiden and Fores: An educated population matters, Mats Persson
This is a debate article. It is the writer who stands for the opinions presented in the text, not Aftonbladet.
Published 2024-03-21 06.00
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full screen The government and the Social Democratic Party have decided to sharply reduce funding for student unions. Considering the effects the decision has on both individuals and society, it is unfortunate that it was taken so lightly. Our report shows what the consequences will be, write the think tanks Tiden and Fores. Photo: TT
DEBATE. Last autumn, the government and their partner party decided to sharply reduce the government grants to student associations. This was done without first evaluating potential ramifications.
Considering the effects the decision has on both individuals and society, it is unfortunate that it was taken so lightly.
A strong civil society and an educated population matter. When citizens come together to learn about society, interpersonal trust and understanding of how our world works increases. For many, student associations are an important step towards increased independent learning and a first encounter with democracy in practice.
Knowledge, trust and democratic values are important elements in maintaining a democratic society.
In a troubled world with war and democratic decline, the role of public education becomes even more important. Fast-paced study associations with a local presence have the ability to contribute to lifelong learning even in changing times.
This shows, not least, the study associations’ superior ability to quickly adapt their operations to provide Ukrainian refugees with Swedish education when the government was completely helpless for a long time. With war in Europe, the conditions for civil society to contribute should be strengthened – not stifled.
Despite this, Minister of Education Mats Persson (L) announced on 18 September 2023 that the student unions’ support will be reduced by SEK 250 million in 2024, with further reductions planned for the coming years.
Until 2025, the grants are planned to be reduced by SEK 350 million. The corresponding sum for 2026 is half a billion kroner, almost a third of the total grant.
If the decision had been prompted by an impact assessment, it would show that the reduction of funding affects the presence in rural areas and people who are already particularly vulnerable. It would also show that one of the major student unions would be forced to shut down completely.
These consequences are now available in black and white, but only after we at the think tanks Tiden and Fores have done the preliminary work that the government skipped.
In the report “A quieter Sweden: impact analysis of the reduced state grants to student unions” we show that the government’s tapering of state grants will have far-reaching negative effects on Swedish public education.
Eight out of nine student associations state that it will be more difficult for them to conduct business in smaller towns, seven out of nine that particularly vulnerable groups will be affected and five out of nine that fees will have to be increased.
These nine study associations are now eight, because Kulturen’s educational activities have been forced to close down their state grant-funded activities.
The effects of the reduced grants for student associations could be summarized as fewer participants in fewer places in the country at higher fees. Groups who live in rural and sparsely populated areas, who have special needs or who have little financial resources may participate to a lesser extent.
The state’s stated aims for the support to study associations are strengthened democracy-promoting activities, increased diversity of people who get involved in society, equalized educational gaps and improved accessibility to cultural life. The reduced state subsidies work against all these aims.
Sweden was largely built by popular movements and civic engagement. It is significant that the study associations where many decision-makers and great cultural creators have taken their first steps continue to exist in country towns and suburbs.
Therefore, the government should take advantage of the impact analysis that is now available and reevaluate its decision ahead of the autumn budget negotiations.
Johan Sjölanderoperations manager Tiden
Ulrica Schenströmsee Fores
Martin Rynosonhead of analysis Tiden
Tove Hovemyrsocial policy expert Fores
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