2023-05-312022/23:KrU10 · p.7KrUCulture
General courses
Target share of general courses in folk high schools' activities
What's at stake: General courses give adults a second chance to reach upper-secondary or higher-education eligibility; a cap on the share would push folk high schools toward more of their specialised courses, while the current arrangement lets demand for general courses, which has in practice grown to 40-50 percent, keep shaping the offering.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should work to cap the share of general courses at folk high schools at around 15 percent of state-funded activity, or whether the current arrangement, with at least 15 percent as a floor and no ceiling, should remain.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion to cap the share of general courses at around 15 percent of folk high schools' state-funded activity, and does not want to preempt ongoing follow-up and review work in the folk-education field by setting a new, narrower target.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 5 (SD)
The reservation argues that folk education's main role should not be to act as a kind of reserve adult-education track, and wants the government to work toward a target of around 15 percent of folk high schools' state-funded activity being general courses, replacing today's minimum target of 15 percent that has in practice grown to a 40-50 percent share, so that greater focus can instead be placed on folk high schools' specialised courses.
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 5 by SD.
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 | Yes | Yes 20/0/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | Yes | Yes 94/0/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | Yes | Yes 20/0/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | Yes | Yes 13/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | Yes | Yes 17/0/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/62/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects motion 2022/23:974 by Jonas Andersson et al. (SD) demand 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2022/23:974 av Jonas Andersson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: Parliament has reviewed a statement from the government concerning the National Audit Office's report on state grants to study associations. The National Audit Office has examined whether the control, monitoring, and management of state grants to study associations is effective. The audit subjects are the government and the Board of Adult Education (Folkbildningsrådet), the body that distributes state grants to, for example, study associations. The National Audit Office's assessment is that the monitoring and control of state grants need to be significantly strengthened and that there are considerable challenges with the current management model, which is based on the actors auditing themselves. A government investigation, a so-called committee directive, is underway regarding, among other things, the current management model, and is to be completed no later than 19 February 2024. The National Audit Office assesses that the direction and scope of the investigation is necessary, but believes that measures are needed already now to strengthen the control. Among other things, the National Audit Office recommends that the government ensure that the Board of Adult Education's administrative role in the control and monitoring of state grants is clarified and strengthened. Parliament filed the statement in the records, that is, closed the matter. Parliament also rejected 17 proposals in motions concerning further education matters submitted during the ordinary motion period in 2022.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to reduce the proportion of general courses to around 15 percent and increase focus on specialized courses. (SD) — Reservation 5
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 states that folk high schools and adult education programs are needed throughout the country, that the number of places in folk high schools and adult education should be expanded, and that far too many never complete high school.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that folk high schools and adult education programs are needed throughout the country, that the number of places in folk high schools and adult education should be expanded, and that far too many never complete high school. General studies is precisely the path that compensates for this. Limiting it to around 15 percent would reduce access to education throughout life and therefore conflicts with the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att folkhögskolor och Komvux behövs i hela landet, att antalet platser inom folkhögskola och vuxenutbildning ska utökas och att alltför många aldrig fullföljer gymnasiet. Allmän kurs är just den väg som kompenserar för detta. Att begränsa den till omkring 15 procent skulle minska tillgången till bildning genom hela livet och strider därför mot planens åtaganden.
- folk high school throughout the countrydecisive»Folkhögskolor och Komvux behövs i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Folk high schools and adult education programs are needed throughout the country.”
- more places in folk high school»Vänsterpartiet vill se en utökning av antalet platser inom såväl« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party wants to see an expansion in the number of places in both”
- compensate for interrupted schooling»Alltför många barn börjar aldrig gymnasieskolan eller hoppar av i förtid.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Far too many children never start high school or drop out early.”
- education throughout life»Bildning sker genom hela livet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Education happens throughout life.”
The plan states that popular education creates strong democracy and opportunities for personal development alongside formal education, and that special attention shall be paid to those with limited basic education.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that popular education creates strong democracy and opportunities for personal development alongside formal education, and that special attention shall be paid to those with limited basic education. To force down the share of general course to around 15 per cent would precisely cut into the activity that gives short-course educated people a new chance. It goes against the plan's demand to open doors to knowledge for everyone. The plan therefore speaks against the demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att folkbildningen ger stark demokrati och möjligheter till personlig utveckling vid sidan av det formella utbildningsväsendet, och att särskild uppmärksamhet ska ägnas dem med kort grundutbildning. Att tvinga ned andelen allmän kurs till omkring 15 procent skulle just skära i den verksamhet som ger korttidsutbildade en ny chans. Det går emot planens krav på att öppna dörrarna till kunskap för alla. Planen talar därför mot kravet.
- value of popular educationdecisive»Folkbildning ger stark demokrati och möjligheter till personlig utveckling vid sidan av den formella utbildningen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Popular education creates strong democracy and opportunities for personal development alongside formal education.”
- prioritize those with limited education»vidareutbildning. Särskild uppmärksamhet ska ägnas de med kort grundutbildning.« (party programme ↗)“further education. Special attention shall be paid to those with limited basic education.”
- knowledge for everyone»Att öppna dörrarna till kunskap för alla är centralt för att bryta klassmönstren.« (party programme ↗)“Opening doors to knowledge for everyone is central to breaking class patterns.”
- education and learning»Socialdemokratin vill skapa ett verkligt kunskapssamhälle, byggt på både bildning och« (party programme ↗)“Social democracy wants to create a true knowledge society built on both education and”
The counter-proposal wants to severely limit the general course at folk high schools, which is the path many adults achieve secondary education through.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to severely limit the general course at folk high schools, which is the path many adults achieve secondary education through. The plan instead is based on popular education and lifelong learning, wants everyone to have the chance to get a final secondary school certificate as adults and wants to see more folk high schools, not least in the Million Programme areas. The plan therefore rejects the demand.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill kraftigt begränsa den allmänna kursen på folkhögskolorna, som är den väg många vuxna får gymnasiebehörighet genom. Planen bygger tvärtom på folkbildningen och det livslånga lärandet, vill att alla ska få chansen att få slutbetyg från gymnasiet även som vuxna och vill se fler folkhögskolor, inte minst i miljonprogrammets områden. Planen avvisar därför kravet.
- adults shall achieve secondary educationdecisive»Därför ska alla få chansen att få slutbetyg från« (party programme ↗)“Therefore, everyone shall have the chance to get a final certificate from”
- the value of popular education»Vi tror på folkbildningen och det livslånga lärandet.« (party programme ↗)“We believe in popular education and lifelong learning.”
- folk high schools and study associations»frivilliga utbildningsformer, som de studieförbunden erbjuder, är viktiga« (party programme ↗)“voluntary educational forms, such as those offered by study associations, are important”
- more folk high schools»av nya folkhögskolor i Sverige, inte minst i miljonprogrammets områden.« (party programme ↗)“of new folk high schools in Sweden, not least in the Million Programme areas.”
The election manifesto establishes that folk education shall be independent and that policy shall contribute to good conditions but maintain arm's length distance.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that folk education shall be independent and that policy shall contribute to good conditions but maintain arm's length distance. A politically decided cap on the share of general courses is precisely such detailed control of the folk high schools' activities. The plan also values pathways back to education for those lacking a secondary school qualification or wanting to change direction later in life, which general courses fill.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att folkbildningen ska vara fristående och att politiken ska bidra till goda förutsättningar men hålla armlängds avstånd. Ett politiskt beslutat tak på andelen allmän kurs är just en sådan detaljstyrning av folkhögskolornas verksamhet. Planen värdesätter dessutom vägar tillbaka till utbildning för den som saknar gymnasieexamen eller vill byta inriktning senare i livet, vilket allmän kurs fyller.
- independent folk educationdecisive»En fristående folkbildning har mycket stor betydelse i tider då demokratiska värden ifrågasätts.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Independent folk education is of great importance at a time when democratic values are being questioned.”
- arm's length distance»Politiken ska bidra till goda förutsättningar men hålla armlängds avstånd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Policy shall contribute to good conditions but maintain arm's length distance.”
- second chance at education»Från yrkesvux för den som saknar gymnasieexamen till konkurrenskraftiga universitet och forskning i världsklass.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“From adult vocational education for those lacking a secondary school qualification to competitive universities and world-class research.”
- retraining later in life»För den som förlorat arbetet, eller vill byta inriktning senare i livet, måste studiesystemet erbjuda möjligheter« (party programme ↗)“For those who have lost work, or want to change direction later in life, the education system must offer opportunities”
The plan establishes that the person who lacks complete compulsory or upper secondary education shall have the right to complement their knowledge at any time, which is precisely the function the folk high school general course fulfils.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the person who lacks complete compulsory or upper secondary education shall have the right to complement their knowledge at any time, which is precisely the function the folk high school general course fulfils. A cap of approximately 15 per cent would limit that possibility and contradicts the plan's support for free folk education. The plan values the role of folk high schools and study circles and wants to give folk education long-term conditions, not direct its course offerings.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att den som saknar fullständig grundskole- eller gymnasieutbildning ska ha rätt att när som helst komplettera sina kunskaper, vilket är just den funktion folkhögskolornas allmänna kurs fyller. Ett tak på cirka 15 procent skulle begränsa den möjligheten och strider mot planens stöd för den fria folkbildningen. Planen värnar folkhögskolans och studieförbundens roll och vill ge folkbildningen långsiktiga villkor, inte styra dess kursutbud.
- right to complement educationdecisive»Den som saknar fullständig grundskole- eller gymnasieutbildning ska ha rätt att när som helst komplettera sina kunskaper genom vuxenutbildning.« (party programme ↗)“The person who lacks complete compulsory or upper secondary education shall have the right to complement their knowledge at any time through adult education.”
- free folk education»Därför värnar liberaler bildningstanken, främjar bildningsresor och stödjer den fria folkbildningen.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore liberals value the idea of education, promote educational journeys and support free folk education.”
- folk high school's broad role»Såväl folkhögskolan som studieförbunden är viktiga utbildningsformer som breddar människors möjligheter att lära nytt hela livet.« (party programme ↗)“Both folk high schools and study circles are important educational forms that broaden people's opportunities to learn new things throughout life.”
- folk education raises knowledge level»Folkbildningen bidrar till höjd kunskapsnivå i samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Folk education contributes to raised knowledge level in society.”
The plan establishes that folk high schools represent their own educational tradition that must be given freedom and opportunities to develop on their own terms, and that the popular education mission is unique and important.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that folk high schools represent their own educational tradition that must be given freedom and opportunities to develop on their own terms, and that the popular education mission is unique and important. A state cap of approximately 15 percent for general courses directs precisely the activity the plan wants to leave free. The plan moreover requires well-developed adult education and studies that are not limited to a specific age interval, which general courses provide.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att folkhögskolorna representerar en egen utbildningstradition som måste ges frihet och möjligheter att utvecklas på egna villkor, och att folkbildningens uppdrag är unikt och viktigt. Ett statligt tak på cirka 15 procent för allmän kurs styr just den verksamhet planen vill lämna fri. Planen kräver dessutom en väl utbyggd vuxenutbildning och studier som inte begränsas till ett visst åldersintervall, vilket allmän kurs tillgodoser.
- folk high school freedomdecisive»måste ges frihet och möjligheter att utvecklas på egna« (party programme ↗)“must be given freedom and opportunities to develop on their own”
- popular education mission»Folkbildningens unika och viktiga uppdrag bidrar till människors möjligheter till utveckling och ny« (party programme ↗)“Popular education's unique and important mission contributes to people's opportunities for development and new”
- developed adult education»Det innebär att vuxenutbildningen ska vara väl utbyggd.« (party programme ↗)“This means that adult education shall be well developed.”
- studies throughout life»Möjligheterna till fortsatta studier ska inte vara begränsade till ett visst åldersintervall i yngre år.« (party programme ↗)“Opportunities for continued studies shall not be limited to a specific age interval in younger years.”
The plan does not address folk colleges' course offerings.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address folk colleges' course offerings. Closest-lying principles speak against a political ceiling on general courses: there should always be a way back for those who have failed, adult education should have relevant content and both theoretical and practical knowledge are valued. The conclusion is therefore uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte folkhögskolornas kursutbud. Närmast liggande principer talar mot ett politiskt tak för allmän kurs: det ska alltid finnas en väg tillbaka för den som misslyckats, vuxenutbildningen ska ha ett relevant innehåll och både teoretisk och praktisk kunskap värderas. Slutsatsen är därför osäker.
- a way backdecisive»Det ska alltid finnas en väg tillbaka för den som misslyckats« (party programme ↗)“There should always be a way back for those who have failed”
- relevant adult education»De gymnasiala yrkesutbildningarna och vuxenutbildningarna i Sverige måste få ett innehåll som är relevant och eftertraktat.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Upper secondary vocational education and adult education in Sweden must have content that is relevant and in demand.”
- broad knowledge view»Både teoretisk och praktisk kunskap är viktigt i samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Both theoretical and practical knowledge is important in society.”
The plan does not address folk high schools' course offering, but requires that unnecessary expenditures in the public sector are scaled down, that clear results are demanded for every public expenditure and that ineffective programmes disguising unemployment be abolished.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address folk high schools' course offering, but requires that unnecessary expenditures in the public sector are scaled down, that clear results are demanded for every public expenditure and that ineffective programmes disguising unemployment be abolished. The counter-proposal's requirement to limit general courses, which in practice compensate for the ordinary education system, aligns with that prioritization. However, the conclusion is derived from general commitments on public resource use.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte folkhögskolornas kursutbud, men kräver att onödiga utgifter i det offentliga skalas bort, att tydliga resultat begärs för varje offentlig satsning och att ineffektiva program som döljer arbetslöshet avskaffas. Motförslagets krav på att begränsa allmän kurs, som i praktiken kompenserar för det ordinarie utbildningsväsendet, ligger i linje med den prioriteringen. Slutsatsen är dock härledd ur allmänna åtaganden om offentlig resursanvändning.
- results requirements on public fundsdecisive»Begära tydliga resultat för varje offentlig satsning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Require clear results for every public expenditure”
- away with unnecessary spending»Skala bort onödiga utgifter i det offentliga« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Scale down unnecessary expenditures in the public sector”
- abolish ineffective programmes»Avskaffa ineffektiva arbetsmarknads- och integrationsprogram som är skapade för att dölja arbetslöshet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Abolish ineffective labour market and integration programmes created to hide unemployment”
- education with clear purpose»Utbilda efter de behov som finns på arbetsmarknaden« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Educate according to the needs that exist on the labour market”
Share and embed
Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:KrU10)
- Committee report full text (HA01KrU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:1075 — Folkbildningsrådet av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2022/23:2144 — Satsningar på Stockholms skärgård av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:220 — Demokratiutvecklingspengar till föreningsrörelsen av Mikael Larsson (C)
- Motion 2022/23:271 — Stärkning av folkbildningen av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2022/23:677 — Folkhögskolornas framtid av Johanna Haraldsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:796 — Upphörande av bidrag till islamistiska Muslimska brödraskapets underorganisationer av Björn Söder (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:860 — Ett idrottsliv, friluftsliv och civilsamhälle tillgängligt för alla av Anne-Li Sjölund m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:861 — Ett fritt och brett kulturliv i hela landet av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:863 — Rättspolitik av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:974 — Folkbildningsfrågor av Jonas Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2022/23:50 — Riksrevisionens rapport om statsbidraget till studieförbunden
Source: The Swedish Parliament