grundskoleväsendet

Grundskoleväsendet refers to the entire system and organization of compulsory primary and lower secondary education in Sweden. It encompasses the public school system that educates children from approximately age six to sixteen. This includes preschool classes, the compulsory school years (grades 1-9), and often includes introductory programs and adapted schools. The overarching goal of grundskoleväsendet is to provide all children with equal educational opportunities, regardless of their background, and to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for further education and active participation in society.

The administration and funding of grundskolan are primarily the responsibility of the municipalities. Each municipality is obligated to offer free education, including textbooks, school supplies, meals, and healthcare. The curriculum is set by the Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket), which outlines the learning objectives and core subjects for each grade level. While the national curriculum provides a framework, municipalities and individual schools have a degree of autonomy in how they implement it and organize their pedagogical approaches. Teachers in grundskolan must hold a teaching degree, and the profession is regulated by the Swedish National Agency for Education. The system is designed to be inclusive, with efforts made to support students with special educational needs through adapted teaching and special support.