Commentary
Until the late 1960s, the Swedish public school system was among the world’s best. The country’s literacy rates were nearly universal, and students performed well in mathematics, science, and reading. Education served as a social equalizer, a vehicle for social mobility, and a catalyst for economic progress. However, this source of national pride has deteriorated into a cause of public anxiety. Today, Sweden’s schools face several challenges, including declining international rankings, uneven quality, grade inflation, and issues with discipline.