Starting in 2028, Swedish children will enter primary school at the age of six, a year earlier than the current system. This change is part of a broader reform in the nation’s education system, moving away from play-based learning for the youngest students.
The government has decided to replace the mandatory preschool year for six-year-olds, known as förskoleklass, with an additional year in grundskola, which is primary school. This decision was made by the center-right coalition government, which is supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats and also has the backing of the left-leaning Social Democrats.
The plan was announced prior to the 2025 budget presentation. Education Minister Johan Pehrson emphasized the need for schools to “return to the basics,” with a focus on early learning in reading, writing, and mathematics. He believes this will help students develop foundational skills more effectively.
However, critics argue that the plan contradicts research supporting play-based learning environments as the best way to support children’s development. They claim that play encourages exploration, creativity, and development through curiosity and discovery. Union leaders are concerned that this change could lead to job losses for specialized preschool teachers.
Christian Eidevald, a visiting professor at Södertörn University, warns that moving six-year-olds into a more formal school setting could undermine the play-based methods that are crucial for fostering children’s development. He cites studies that confirm play as a foundation for early learning and the development of critical skills such as language and problem-solving.
Eidevald and other academics, including Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson from the University of Gothenburg, have questioned the government’s rationale in an article. They argue that integrating six-year-olds into primary school without considering their developmental needs and the expertise of preschool teachers is a misguided step. They suggest that resources should be invested in improving education quality with competent teachers rather than structural changes.
On a positive note, some experts like Johannes Westberg from the University of Groningen see the move as aligning Swedish schooling more closely with European standards. He believes it will lead to a more traditional school pedagogy for six-year-olds without necessarily affecting the entire school system.
The upcoming budget will also address other educational initiatives, such as funding for “emergency schools” to temporarily relocate children during school issues, investments in textbooks to promote screen-free environments, and support for teacher and preschool-teacher training programs.