Election day is fast approaching, as students start or return to their studies across Sweden. There have been major changes for students and doctoral students during the current term; student housing has begun to be built, scholarship doctoral students have largely been abolished, and a number of investigations have been launched.
Now we look ahead and consider what reforms are needed during the next term. Here are some of them:
A new resource allocation system that puts student learning in focus. The productivity deduction and allocation through full-year performance have resulted in a hollowed-out university and a system that focuses on throughput instead of student learning. Read more at www.sfs.se/strut
The well-being of students and doctoral students and the work environment need to be prioritized. A good work environment is a prerequisite for studies and work needs to be improved at both national and local level. In addition, we are waiting for the government to develop concrete legislative proposals based on the investigation regarding part-time sick leave and rehabilitation responsibility. SFS has long called for a reform that the investigation's proposals also demonstrate the need for.
Broadened participation and broadened recruitment. The number of students has doubled since the 90s and is expected to increase even more in the coming years. Despite this, very little has happened with the socially biased recruitment. During the current term of office, broadened participation has been discussed and proposals have been withdrawn. During the next term of office, change must occur. If politicians are serious about ensuring that higher education is for everyone, it cannot continue in the same old ways; active political work is needed to broaden recruitment to higher education.
The housing shortage for students. In order to be able to start and complete their studies, safe housing is required. Housing construction has started during this term of office, but there is still much to be done. New construction is expensive, which means that political proposals are needed that make it possible for students to afford to pay the rent. The general housing shortage also requires that housing policy discussions start again after the election.
Higher education is rarely discussed to such an extent during election campaigns. However, high-quality higher education that is accessible to many is a prerequisite for the knowledge society that many other election promises want to achieve. Now the people will have their say and elect elected representatives across the country and to different assemblies. The student movement looks forward to discussing the future of our common higher education together with our elected representatives.