Today came the message from UHR and the government that this fall's university entrance exams are being cancelled. This is of course really sad and difficult for many who saw this as their chance to compete for higher education - but we must collectively look at the risks and the entirety of the situation.
When the discussions began this spring about the autumn university entrance exam, there were many angles. It quickly became clear what enormous difficulties it would be to, on the one hand, ensure the legal certainty of the exam and, on the other hand, reduce the risk of spreading infection if the exam were to be conducted with the 50-person limit. At the same time, there was enormous pressure and expectation that the exam would be conducted. I was one of those who tried to come up with solutions. “Can’t we set up large tents outdoors? Or have the exam conducted many times, several days in a row? Why not limit it so that only first-time writers are allowed to write? What do the digital exam options look like? Can’t we have mass surveillance of exam rooms so that exam invigilators don’t have to be there physically?” and so on. There was a really strong desire from many for the exam to be conducted.
But all the proposals entailed more challenges and more uncertainties. Sure, the proposals raised can be reviewed, but getting them to work in unison at such (relatively) short notice with an uncertain infection situation would have been difficult and could have led to disastrous results. The amount of criticism against the test and its implementation could be enormous. How many people could have died if the test had been carried out without good conditions and solid planning? How many had tried to take advantage of the opportunity to more easily cheat their way into university? How much resources would have been taken from the already strained situation of the higher education institutions with managing this autumn's education programs, which will also follow the 50-person limit?
And are these risks we are willing to take? According to UKÄ's statistical database, approximately 20% of students are admitted to the spring semester and 80% of students to the autumn semester. Of these 20%, an estimated one-third enter via the Swedish Higher Education Entrance Exam. We are therefore talking about approximately 7% of those admitted to higher education annually, corresponding to around 6500 university freshmen. Yes, for those who hoped to be among the 6500 people, the situation is difficult. However, it means that other people will be able to be admitted to these programs – today's decision will probably not result in university places being left empty.
I understand the frustration of those who have just graduated from high school and had relied on taking the university entrance exam to get into their dream education. I especially understand this for those who did not take the exam during high school while waiting for their final grades. I also understand that this is really hard when the job market is so incredibly tough on recent graduates from high school and universities and that so little has actually been done to address this.
I think the frustration that exists now largely comes from a feeling of hopelessness among young people. A feeling of a lost year for those who have not been able to get into an education or get a job. An economic insecurity after a canceled student celebration. A great uncertainty about what society will even look like after Corona.
But we cannot let this pandemic bring us to our knees and stay there – we must look forward. The spring university entrance exams are to be held. Period. We at SFS expect that there will now be intensive work at the universities, UHR and the government so that it can be carried out regardless of the situation we face this spring. We also expect the state to compensate for the increased expenses that this may entail so that existing university education does not suffer. The sooner this announcement can come, the better it will enable prospective students to plan their lives and be able to look forward.
We must also face the very fundamental problem of growing hopelessness, uncertainty and anxiety among young people and recent graduates, and much can actually be done. Let this autumn's research policy bill be the largest in modern history with investments in higher education and innovation instead of billions are lying unused on the shelf. Ensure that current and newly graduated students have a secure livelihood when the labor market fails. Ensure that doctoral students who have not been able to fully complete their education have extended opportunities to do so. Reform the resource allocation system so that more people can be better educated within the framework of lifelong learning. And stop expelling international students who do not get a job immediately after graduation or those who want to be part of Swedish higher education but cannot due to harmful bureaucracy.
These are just a few of the issues to work on for a strengthened knowledge nation and an increased belief in the future. Internationally, higher education in Sweden has done well, which will be to our advantage when Corona subsides. Provided that measures continue to be taken and that our leaders demonstrate active and healthy leadership, we will get through this – together.