2026-06-032025/26:UbU19 · p.1UbUEducation
Agency Responsibility and Government Assignments
Agency responsibility for research-based support in schools
What's at stake: The Swedish National Audit Office has pointed out that support for schools is split between several agencies with partly overlapping mandates, making it unclear where teachers should turn and risking that guidance is based on incomplete research. The question is whether responsibility should be concentrated in one agency or handled through ongoing inquiries and cooperation.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The motions called for one agency to be given clear lead responsibility for compiling research for the school system, while the committee held that ongoing assignments and dialogue between the government and the agencies already address the shortcomings identified.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the audit report and notes that the government has already carried out extensive work toward evidence-based schooling, including an analysis by the Swedish Agency for Public Management of how responsibilities are divided among the school agencies, a new scientific council at the National Agency for Education, and ongoing dialogue with the agencies, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S, V, C, MP)
The reserving parties (S, V, C, MP) consider the government's handling of the audit report inadequate, since it mainly reports on ongoing processes without concrete answers, and want the government to give one agency clear lead responsibility for systematically compiling research for the whole school system, including on behalf of other school agencies.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S, V, C, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/106/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/18/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | No 0/23/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 16/0/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 19/0/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 66/0/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 70/0/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2025/26:3970 by Anders Ygeman et al. (S) demands 1-3 and 2025/26:3978 by Niels Paarup-Petersen et al. (C) demands 1-3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:3970 av Anders Ygeman m.fl. (S) yrkandena 1-3 och 2025/26:3978 av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C) yrkandena 1-3.
Riksdag decision: Parliament has addressed a communication from the government regarding the Swedish National Audit Office's audit of how effectively the state's work is to ensure that education is based on scientific grounds and proven experience. The Swedish National Audit Office's overall conclusion is that the state's work is not effective. The Swedish National Audit Office recommends the government to, among other things, conduct a review of the school authorities' tasks and division of responsibilities regarding support to the school system and to ensure that government assignments to the school authorities have time frames that make it possible for the best available knowledge to form the basis for the assignments. In its communication, the government reports its assessment of the observations and conclusions and recommendations that the Swedish National Audit Office submits to the government in the audit report. The government largely agrees with the Swedish National Audit Office's observations. With the communication, the government considers the Swedish National Audit Office's report to be finally processed. Like the government, Parliament believes that the Swedish National Audit Office's observations constitute valuable input in the ongoing work to strengthen the scientific basis in school. Parliament views the government's work in this area positively and thus laid the communication to the files, that is, closed the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants one agency to take main responsibility for systematically compiling research and providing knowledge support to teachers and school leaders. (S, V, C, MP) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan emphasizes that research is needed to understand the world and wants to make major investments in the quality of the education system, which supports a government agency receiving clear principal responsibility for compiling research for the entire school system.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan emphasizes that research is needed to understand the world and wants to make major investments in the quality of the education system, which supports a government agency receiving clear principal responsibility for compiling research for the entire school system. A clear entry point for teachers and school leaders is a practical expression of the plan's desire to invest in the entire education system. The committee's reasoning—that work is already underway—is not affected by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen betonar att forskning behövs för att förstå världen och vill göra stora investeringar i utbildningssystemets kvalitet, vilket talar för att en myndighet får ett tydligt huvudansvar för att sammanställa forskning åt hela skolväsendet. En tydlig ingång för lärare och skolledare är ett praktiskt uttryck för planens vilja att satsa på hela utbildningssystemet. Utskottets skäl - att arbete redan pågår - berörs inte av planen.
- knowledge as a foundationdecisive»Forskning behövs för att förstå den värld vi lever i.« (party programme ↗)“Research is needed to understand the world we live in.”
- investments in education quality»Vi vill göra stora investeringar i att höja kvaliteten i utbildningssystemet.« (party programme ↗)“We want to make major investments in raising the quality of the education system.”
- investment in the entire system»Vänsterpartiet vill satsa på hela utbildningssystemet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to invest in the entire education system.”
The plan requires increased state responsibility and strengthened control over the school sphere and high-quality teaching in all schools, which speaks to giving an authority clear primary responsibility for compiling research for the school system.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires increased state responsibility and strengthened control over the school sphere and high-quality teaching in all schools, which speaks to giving an authority clear primary responsibility for compiling research for the school system. The plan also wants to see cooperation between research, business and society. It does not however directly address the school authorities' division of responsibilities.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ökat statligt ansvar och stärkt rådighet på skolområdet och högkvalitativ undervisning i alla skolor, vilket talar för att en myndighet ges ett tydligt huvudansvar för att sammanställa forskning åt skolväsendet. Planen vill också se samverkan mellan forskning, näringsliv och samhälle. Den behandlar dock inte skolmyndigheternas ansvarsfördelning direkt.
- state control of schoolsdecisive»Ökat statligt ansvar och stärkt rådighet på skolområdet.« (party programme ↗)“Increased state responsibility and strengthened control over the school sphere.”
- teaching on a scientific basis»Högkvalitativ undervisning i alla svenska skolor.« (party programme ↗)“High-quality teaching in all Swedish schools.”
- research into practice»Samverkan mellan forskning, näringsliv och samhälle.« (party programme ↗)“Cooperation between research, business and society.”
The plan states that knowledge and research results need to be disseminated to a greater extent and that schools should be trust-managed, where teachers are given confidence and time.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that knowledge and research results need to be disseminated to a greater extent and that schools should be trust-managed, where teachers are given confidence and time. A clear government authority responsibility for compiling research for the entire school system gives teachers and school leaders a unified entry point to knowledge support and thereby aligns with the plan. The plan does not, however, mention the government structure.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger att kunskap och forskningsresultat behöver spridas i större utsträckning och att skolan ska vara tillitsstyrd, där lärare ges förtroende och tid. Ett tydligt myndighetsansvar för att sammanställa forskning åt hela skolväsendet ger lärare och skolledare en samlad ingång till kunskapsstöd och ligger därmed i linje med planen. Planen nämner dock inte myndighetsstrukturen.
- disseminate research resultsdecisive»Kunskap och forskningsresultat behöver spridas i större utsträckning, och forskare ska uppmuntras att delta i samhällsdebatten.« (party programme ↗)“Knowledge and research results need to be disseminated to a greater extent, and researchers should be encouraged to participate in public debate.”
- trust-managed school»Vi vill se en tillitsstyrd skola där lärare, rektorer och elevhälsa ges förtroende och tid att göra sitt jobb och se varje elev.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a trust-managed school where teachers, principals and student welfare staff are given confidence and time to do their job and see each student.”
- scientific foundation»Vetenskapen och det vetenskapliga förhållningssättet till kunskap är ett uttryck för människans nyfikenhet, kreativitet och samarbetsvilja.« (party programme ↗)“Science and the scientific approach to knowledge is an expression of human curiosity, creativity and willingness to cooperate.”
The plan says nothing about the division of responsibility between school authorities, but establishes that school results must be improved through better support and training for teachers and principals and that teacher competence is decisive.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about the division of responsibility between school authorities, but establishes that school results must be improved through better support and training for teachers and principals and that teacher competence is decisive. A clear entry point for teachers seeking research support is such a support. However, the conclusion is based on derivation, not an explicit commitment.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger inget om ansvarsfördelningen mellan skolmyndigheterna, men slår fast att skolresultaten ska förbättras genom bättre stöd och fortbildning för lärare och rektorer och att lärarnas kompetens är avgörande. En tydlig ingång för lärare som söker forskningsstöd är ett sådant stöd. Slutsatsen bygger dock på härledning, inte på ett uttryckligt åtagande.
- support and training for teachersdecisive»Det vill vi åstadkomma med bättre stöd och fortbildning för lärare och rektorer, och rätt stöd till alla elever.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to achieve this with better support and training for teachers and principals, and the right support for all pupils.”
- teachers' key role»Lärarna och rektorerna är avgörande för att skapa en bättre skola.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Teachers and principals are decisive in creating a better school.”
- school in constant development»kunskap inhämtas med nya redskap, modern pedagogik och teknik« (party programme ↗)“knowledge is acquired with new tools, modern teaching methods and technology”
- profession's competence»Professionella lärares kompetens och pedagogik är avgörande.« (party programme ↗)“Professional teachers' competence and teaching are decisive.”
The plan requires that support measures in schools are scientifically grounded and that teachers are relieved of administration to be able to concentrate on teaching.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that support measures in schools are scientifically grounded and that teachers are relieved of administration to be able to concentrate on teaching. A clear government authority entry that systematically compiles research for the entire school system serves both of these commitments. The plan says nothing about the distribution of responsibilities between school authorities, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att stödinsatser i skolan är vetenskapligt grundade och att lärarna avlastas administration för att kunna koncentrera sig på undervisningen. En tydlig myndighetsingång som systematiskt sammanställer forskning åt hela skolväsendet tjänar båda dessa åtaganden. Planen säger dock inget om ansvarsfördelningen mellan skolmyndigheterna, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- scientifically grounded interventionsdecisive»Stödinsatser sättas in tidigt och vara vetenskapligt grundade.« (party programme ↗)“Support measures are implemented early and shall be scientifically grounded.”
- relieved teachers»Läraryrkets status ska höjas och lärarna avlastas administration så att de kan koncentrera sig på undervisningen.« (party programme ↗)“The status of the teaching profession shall be raised and teachers shall be relieved of administration so they can concentrate on teaching.”
- raised pedagogical competence»Tjänsterna som förstelärare är viktiga för skolans utveckling och syftar till att höja den pedagogiska och didaktiska kompetensen inom skolan.« (party programme ↗)“The services as master teachers are important for school development and aim to raise pedagogical and didactic competence within the school.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan builds on stewardship's obligation to pass on previous generations' achievements and that activity shall rest on knowledge and proven experience.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan builds on stewardship's obligation to pass on previous generations' achievements and that activity shall rest on knowledge and proven experience. A clear national approach that compiles research for teachers follows from this, and the subsidiarity principle is according to the plan both a near and a far principle, thus no obstacle to the task being placed at state level. The school's own freedom to shape teaching is not affected by the requirement.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger på förvaltarskapets förpliktelse att föra vidare tidigare generationers landvinningar och att verksamhet ska vila på kunskap och beprövad erfarenhet. En tydlig nationell ingång som sammanställer forskning åt lärare följer av det, och subsidiaritetsprincipen är enligt planen både en när- och en fjärrprincip, alltså inget hinder mot att uppgiften läggs på statlig nivå. Skolans egen frihet att utforma undervisningen berörs inte av kravet.
- steward and spread knowledgedecisive»Enligt förvaltarskapsprincipen har vi också en gemensam förpliktelse att föra vidare tidigare generationers landvinningar och att uppmuntra till kunskapssökande i samtiden.« (party programme ↗)“According to the stewardship principle, we also have a common obligation to pass on previous generations' achievements and to encourage knowledge-seeking in our time.”
- evidence-based activity»baserad på kunskap och beprövad erfarenhet, det vill säga evidensbaserad« (party programme ↗)“based on knowledge and proven experience, that is, evidence-based”
- right task at the right level»Subsidiaritetsprincipen är således ingen renodlad decentraliseringsprincip, utan både en när- och fjärrprincip.« (party programme ↗)“The subsidiarity principle is thus not a purely decentralizing principle, but both a near and far principle.”
- school's freedom»ska de ges ett stort mått av frihet att själva utforma undervisningen« (party programme ↗)“they shall be given a great measure of freedom to shape teaching themselves”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan gives the state a decisive task to establish and follow up clear requirements in school and wants to build teaching on measurable factual knowledge instead of on a vague knowledge philosophy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan gives the state a decisive task to establish and follow up clear requirements in school and wants to build teaching on measurable factual knowledge instead of on a vague knowledge philosophy. Wise reforms shall, according to the plan, lean on research and proven experience. Clear main responsibility for compiling research for the entire school system thus aligns with the plan, as long as the research itself remains free.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ger staten en avgörande uppgift att fastställa och följa upp tydliga krav i skolan och vill bygga undervisningen på mätbara faktakunskaper i stället för på en vag kunskapssyn. Kloka reformer ska enligt planen luta sig mot forskning och beprövad erfarenhet. Ett tydligt huvudansvar för att sammanställa forskning åt hela skolväsendet ligger därför i linje med planen, så länge forskningen själv förblir fri.
- clear state responsibility in schooldecisive»Staten har en avgörande uppgift att först och främst fastställa och följa upp tydliga kunskapskrav.« (party programme ↗)“The state has a decisive task to first and foremost establish and follow up clear knowledge requirements.”
- knowledge-based school»Fokusera på mätbara faktakunskaper, med inspiration från Finlands läroplan« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Focus on measurable factual knowledge, inspired by Finland's curriculum”
- free research»Värna den fria forskningen från politiska pekpinnar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Guard free research from political direction”
flags: citat_blockerat
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires a knowledge-focused school that to a greater degree provides room for proven pedagogy and that the teaching profession is strengthened with appropriate pedagogical tools.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a knowledge-focused school that to a greater degree provides room for proven pedagogy and that the teaching profession is strengthened with appropriate pedagogical tools. Clear authority responsibility to systematically compile research for the entire school system gives teachers and school leaders just such an entry point, and is also in line with the plan's requirement for streamlined authorities. The connection is however derived, not expressed.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en kunskapsfokuserad skola som i högre grad ger utrymme för beprövad pedagogik och att läraryrket stärks med ändamålsenliga pedagogiska verktyg. Ett tydligt myndighetshuvudansvar för att systematiskt sammanställa forskning åt hela skolväsendet ger lärare och skolledare just en sådan ingång, och ligger också i linje med planens krav på renodlade myndigheter. Kopplingen är dock härledd, inte uttalad.
- proven pedagogydecisive»Skolan ska i högre grad ge utrymme för beprövad pedagogik och få en tydligare normskapande roll i samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Schools should to a greater degree provide room for proven pedagogy and get a clearer norm-setting role in society.”
- knowledge-focused school»Återupprätta en kunskapsfokuserad skola genom beprövad pedagogik och fokus på traditionellt lärande med lika villkor på alla skolor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Re-establish a knowledge-focused school through proven pedagogy and focus on traditional learning with equal conditions in all schools”
- pedagogical tools for teachers»Läraryrket ska stärkas med ändamålsenliga pedagogiska verktyg, avlastning och bättre villkor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The teaching profession should be strengthened with appropriate pedagogical tools, relief and better conditions.”
- streamlined authorities»Stoppa slöseriet inom myndigheterna och slå samman myndigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop waste within authorities and merge authorities”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:UbU19)
- Committee report full text (HD01UbU19)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:3970 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:166 Riksrevisionens rapport om utbildning på vetenskaplig grund av Anders Ygeman m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:3978 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:166 Riksrevisionens rapport om utbildning på vetenskaplig grund av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2025/26:166 — Riksrevisionens rapport om utbildning på vetenskaplig grund
Source: The Swedish Parliament