Today came the message from UHR and the government that the autumn university entrance examination be canceled. This is of course really sad and difficult for many who have seen this as their chance to compete in higher education - but we must collectively look at the risks and the whole of the situation.
When the discussions in the spring began about this autumn's university entrance exams, there were many angles. It was quickly discovered what enormous difficulties it would be to, on the one hand, ensure the legal certainty of the test and, on the other hand, reduce the risk of infection if the test were to be carried out with the 50-person limit. At the same time, there was enormous pressure and expectation that the test would be completed. I was one of those who tried to come up with solutions. Can't we set up big tents outdoors? Or that the test is performed many times several days in a row? Why not limit it so that only first-time printers can write? What do the digital test opportunities look like? Can we not have mass surveillance of exam rooms so that exam guards do not have to be there physically? ” and so on. There was a really strong will from many that the test should be carried out.
But all proposals entailed more challenges and more uncertainties. Of course, the proposals raised can be reviewed, but getting them to work in unison at such (relatively) short notice with a then uncertain infection situation would have been difficult and could have led to catastrophic results. The amount of criticism of 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 the opportunity to cheat their way into college more easily? How much resources had been taken from the higher education institutions' already strained situation in dealing with the autumn educations, which must also comply with the 50-person limit?
And are these risks we are willing to take? According to UKÄ's statistics database, approximately 20% of students are admitted to the spring term and 80% of students to the autumn term. Of these 20%, an estimated one-third enter via the university entrance examination. We are thus talking about about 7% of those who are admitted to higher education annually, corresponding to about 6500 university beginners. Yes, for those who hoped to belong to the 6500 people, the situation is difficult. However, this means that other people will be able to be admitted to these educations - today's decision will probably not lead to college places being empty.
I understand the frustration of those who have just taken the student from high school and had relied on writing the college exam to get into their dream education. I understand this especially for those who did not write the test during high school while waiting for their final grades. I also understand that this is really hard when the labor market is so incredibly tough on new graduates from high schools and colleges and that so little has actually been done to meet 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 enter an education or get a job. A financial insecurity after a canceled student celebration. A great deal of uncertainty in what society will even look like after Corona.
But we can not let this pandemic get down to our knees and stay there - we have to look ahead. This spring's university exams will be carried out. Point. We from SFS expect that there will now be intensive work at the universities, UHR and the government so that it can be implemented 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 higher education programs do not suffer. The earlier this message can come, the better it enables prospective students to plan their lives and be able to look ahead.
We must also face the very basic problem of growing hopelessness, insecurity 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 unused on high. 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 for this. Reform the resource allocation system so that more people can be better educated within the framework of lifelong learning. And stop deporting the international students who do not get a job immediately after graduation or those who want to be part of Swedish higher education but can not due to harmful bureaucracy.
It is just a selection of questions to work with 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 runs out. Provided that measures continue to be taken and that our leaders demonstrate active and healthy leadership, we will go through this - together.