Jan Rosman in CNE Podcast: Liberals and secularists in Sweden prefer to close our Christian schools
Jan Rosman. Photo CNE, Canva
European Union
In secular Sweden, Christian schools are not just educating pupils – they are standing on the frontlines of a cultural and ideological battle.
That’s the powerful message from Jan Rosman, head of the Kristna Friskolerådet (Christian Schools Council), in a new episode of the CNE Podcast.
His organisation represents 137 Christian schools – just about 1 per cent of all schools in Sweden, spread evenly across the country. Despite their modest number, these schools are making a significant impact, as Rosman shows in the interview.
“Most parents are happy with our schools,” Rosman says. “In general, the public supports us.” But behind the scenes, a different reality unfolds.
Within the Swedish government, the political climate is tense. While the Christian Democratic KD backs Christian education, their coalition partner, the Liberals, is pushing to shut these schools down. “And it’s the Liberals who are in charge of education,” Rosman points out.
That tension trickles down to the school inspections. Rosman describes the government’s expectations as shaped by a “secular religion” – a term borrowed from a Lutheran archbishop. The inspectorate, he suggests, would prefer to see Christian schools disappear, especially over issues like gender, sexuality, and evolution.
Yet these schools consistently outperform others. “Our students are often a year ahead academically,” Rosman says. And while inspections are critical, no Christian school has been forced to close – at least, not yet.
Rosman concludes with a reminder: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees children the right to grow — spiritually, morally, psychologically, socially, and physically. “That’s exactly what Christian schools aim to do – even in a pluralistic society.”
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