At the national gymnasium for deaf and hearing-impaired students in Örebro, Sweden, the majority of students are currently ineligible for certain programs. This has resulted in fewer classes being formed in the national programs, affecting those who are eligible. The chance for students to attend their desired program has decreased in recent years.
Last year, classes could only be started in five national programs at the gymnasium. A requirement of at least four students per class prevents many classes from starting due to a low number of eligible students, meaning eligible students do not always get the opportunity to enroll in their preferred program. The Sweden Deaf Youth Association (SDUF) is critical of the situation and wants more flexibility from the gymnasium.
students should be able to study common subjects together and program-specific subjects separately
Julia Grahn, general secretary of SDUF, suggests that students should be able to study common subjects together and program-specific subjects separately. She also believes more should be done to make the gymnasium attractive, such as increased marketing. Christopher Hedbom Rydeaus, chairman of the gymnasium and labor market committee, acknowledges the frustration and explains that the organization has been restructured to find more flexible solutions in the future.
He emphasizes that the four-student threshold is necessary to maintain educational quality and that compromises could harm this quality. Hedbom Rydeaus suggests that SDUF should direct criticism towards municipalities and the state for failing to provide proper education in primary school for these students.
more should be done to make the gymnasium attractive, such as increased marketing
the four-student threshold is necessary to maintain educational quality and that compromises could harm this quality
SDUF should direct criticism towards municipalities and the state for failing to provide proper education in primary school for these students