Compulsory school
It is obligatory for all children aged 6–16 years to attend school.
Attendance at compulsory school is free of charge, and the children receive free lunch and books. All schools follow a curriculum, which states what each child shall learn at school.
Children with an intellectual impairment can attend a compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities, where, as far as is possible, the education corresponds to what is taught in regular compulsory schools.
Children whose native language is not Swedish are entitled to receive mother-tongue tuition. Participation in mother-tongue tuition is voluntary. In order to register, or for more information, you can talk to your child's school.
Children whose native language is not Swedish can receive study guidance in their mother tongue, if they need it.
Registering at compulsory school
Children aged between 6 and 16 years who have recently arrived in Sweden shall be registered at school via Skolstart Malmö. All children aged 6–16 years have a legal obligation to attend school.
The child and the parent (or guardian) must present a form of identification, such as an ID card, passport, or residence permit card issued by the Swedish Migration Agency. Both parents must sign the application. If only one parent/guardian is able to attend, a power of attorney must be provided.
Student health
Teachers are not the only people who work at a school – there are also school nurses, school doctors, psychologists, counsellors, and study/career guidance officers (SYV). Students can contact these resources in various situations. All school healthcare is free of charge, and the personnel are bound by a duty of confidentiality.
School nurses conduct health checks and development checks, and also provide vaccinations. They also offer health-related advice and discussions. School nurses have close contact with school doctors and psychologists. The care is provided following coordination with parents.
A student can contact a counsellor if, for example, they need:
- an adult to talk to
- help to resolve a difficult situation, such as feelings of loneliness, school fatigue or bullying.
Study/career guidance officers provide students with information about different educational studies or potential occupations.
The role of parents in the child's schooling
Parents have the right to know what is happening at the school, and how their child is getting on. School staff shall talk to parents about how the students are getting on, and about their learning and development.
Schools use different ways to ensure that parents feel involved in their child's schooling, such as development discussions, weekly newsletters, parents' meetings and parent councils.
At parents' meetings, parents receive information about things that are happening at the school. Teachers tell them about how the work is structured, and parents can ask about any issues they feel are important.
At least once per term, parents and the child meet with the teacher for a development discussion. Here the teacher, the parents and the child discuss how the child is getting on at school. They also talk about the child's progress in the various subjects, and about ways in which both the school and the parents can support the child's development. The discussion also includes how the child gets on with other children and with members of staff, and can also address any incidents that he or she would like help to cope with.
Leisure-time centres
Leisure-time centres are for school children from preschool class up to year 6. Parents who work or study can apply for a place for their child at a leisure-time centre. A child may also be entitled to a place at a leisure-time centre on the basis of the child's own needs. Talk to your child's school about how to apply for a place.
A child can attend the leisure-time centre in the morning before school begins, and in the afternoon after the end of the school day. A child can spend their time at a leisure-time centre doing their homework or playing, for example.
The leisure-time centre is located close to the school, and is open on school days as well as during school holidays and on study days. Children receive breakfast and a snack every day. During school holidays and on study days, they also receive lunch.
The fee for attending a leisure-time centre is adapted to reflect the family's income. Parents must therefore submit an income declaration when the child is due to begin at the leisure-time centre.