Ten denominational schools approved by Swedish inspection

During the inspection, which often lasted a few days, the Swedish School Inspectorate examined whether the curriculums in the schools were "objective, comprehensive and based on scientific evidence and proven science", Varlden idag reports. Several inspection reports are now finished, but the examination continues.

The Christian Independent Schools Council says that almost all ten Christian schools received their supervision reports without any remarks for improvement, Varlden idag writes. At all ten, teaching was objective, comprehensive and based on scientific grounds and proven experience.

Only one school received a point of critique about the curriculum's values. The school was ordered to establish a plan against abusive treatment.

"Ban is disproportionate"

The government's proposal to ban denominational schools is disproportional and violates human rights. That is the opinion of Ulla Hamilton, CEO of the national federation of Independent Schools.

She writes in Altinget that Sweden has committed itself to international principles. For example, the European Convention states that parents have the right to access to education that is in line with their convictions. Hamilton: "The government claims in its memorandum that the rights are met by parents themselves being able to teach their children according to the religious beliefs in their free time. But these are just excuses to avoid acknowledging convention content you are uncomfortable with. The article clearly states that it is the state that is responsible for ensuring that children and their parents receive that education."

Furthermore, Hamilton finds the measure disproportionate. She points out that only 0.9 per cent of Swedish pupils attend a denominational school. "That is a very modest proportion in relation to the drastic measures proposed."

Hamilton suspects that the Swedish government uses the ban on denominational schools to gain more votes in the upcoming elections. "Research shows that tolerance for different perceptions among people has decreased in Sweden. That is probably one of the reasons why the government sees it as harmless to impose restrictions of this kind."