Election day is fast approaching at the same time as students begin or return to their studies around Sweden. There have been major changes for students and doctoral students during the current term of office; student housing has begun to be built, scholarship doctoral students have largely been abolished and a number of investigations have been launched.
We are now looking ahead and considering what reforms are needed during the next term. Here are some of them:
A new resource allocation system that puts students' learning in focus. The productivity deduction and allocation through full-year achievements has resulted in a eroded university and a system that focuses on throughput instead of students' 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 the work needs to be better at both national and local level. In addition, we are waiting for the government to develop concrete bills based on the investigation regarding part-time sick leave and rehabilitation responsibility. SFS has long demanded a reform that the inquiry's proposal also demonstrates 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 During the current term of office, broader participation has been discussed and proposals have been withdrawn. During the next term of office, change must take place. If the politicians are serious about the university being there for everyone, it cannot continue in old ruts, here active political work is needed to broaden recruitment to the university.
Housing shortage for students. To be able to start and complete the studies, safe housing is required. Housing construction has started during this term, but there is still a lot to do. New production is expensive, which means that political proposals are required that allow students to afford to pay the rent. The general housing shortage also requires that the housing policy talks resume after the election.
Higher education is seldom discussed to such an extent during election campaigns. Higher education of high quality that is available to many is, however, 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 congregations. The student movement looks forward to discussing the future of our joint higher education together with our elected representatives.