Background & Purpose
To improve teaching standards, make education careers more attractive, and ensure equal educational quality across schools, a structured national system is needed.
Proposals & Debate
The government proposed creating a national professional program consisting of two core parts: a national structure for ongoing competence development and a formal merit system for licensed teachers and preschool teachers. The merit system includes specific tiers, with one tier requiring a doctoral degree, and applications handled by the National Agency for Education.
The Decision
The Swedish parliament approved the government's proposal to establish the national professional program, creating clear career paths and competence structures starting in 2025.
Does this affect you?
- Licensed teachers and preschool teachers: Can apply for official merit levels to advance their careers and prove their advanced competence.
- Principals and school leaders: Gain access to structured national competence development programs to improve school leadership.
- Students: Benefit from higher teaching quality and more equal educational standards across schools.
In Practice
- A national structure for competence development is established for school leaders and educators.
- A formal merit system with different levels is introduced for licensed teachers and preschool teachers.
- Skolverket (the National Agency for Education) will handle applications and decide on merit levels.
- Decisions regarding merit levels can be appealed to a general administrative court.