Sofie Arfvidson is responsible for 20 children at a preschool in Gothenburg's Majorna district, with two childcare workers. She believes she could do more if she had fewer children. A survey by Kaliber found that of 175 responding municipalities, more than half have excessively large child groups compared to the Swedish National Agency for Education's benchmark.
Excessively large groups can involve up to 8 children over the benchmark, which is 6 to 12 for small children and 9 to 15 for older children. Viktoria Tryggvadottir Rolka (S), municipal councilor in Gothenburg, admits group sizes are too high and aims to reduce them, citing economics as the barrier. The government's education budget includes funds for municipalities to improve preschool quality, such as by reducing group sizes.
I know that I could have done more, given them more, taught them more, or helped them experience more if I had had fewer children.
Education and Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson (L) says there is a problem with unclear requirements for municipalities and is provoked by some seeing grants as a chance to cut costs. Specific measures in Gothenburg are not detailed, and it is unknown how many municipalities exactly have excessively large groups.
I am indeed the first to say that this is too high. And our ambition is indeed that this should go down.
Economics. It has been an incredibly tough economy.
I understand that these government grants are crucial. But I am provoked by the fact that there are many municipalities that believe this is an opportunity to save on schools.