On Thursday, April 7, SFS and SSCO (the central organization of Stockholm's student unions) jointly held a political mingle, where the education policy members of the parliamentary parties participated in a panel discussion. Outside the hall in KTH's student union house Nymble, snow was swirling, but inside, lively conversations were held.
The following politicians participated in the panel:
- Gunilla Svantorp (S), Chair of the Education Committee
- Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M), responsible for higher education affairs
- Robert Stenkvist (SD), member of the Education Committee
- Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V), Spokesperson for Higher Education and Research
- Fredrik Christensson (C), education policy spokesperson
- Camilla Hansén (MP), spokesperson for higher education and research
- Fredrik Malm (L), Vice Chairman of the Education Committee
A representative from the Christian Democrats was also invited but unfortunately was unable to attend. The panel also included Linn Svärd, chairwoman of SFS, who gave the conversation a student perspective, and the moderator was Sofia Holmdahl, chairwoman of SSCO.
Below we provide a brief account of the topics that were covered and what the politicians on the panel responded to.
Increased quality in higher education
The panel discussion began with a question about what the parties believe is needed to increase quality in higher education.
Gunilla Svantorp (S) stated that quality is many different things and highlighted training places, quality assurance systems, teacher-led hours (which look different among different subjects), broadened recruitment, and the need for a current situation analysis.
Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M) addressed broadened recruitment, teacher-led time, and the importance of business in ensuring that education leads to jobs.
Robert Stenkvist (SD) believed that quality needs to be increased and not just the number of training places, and that the funding system should not be quantity-driven.
Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V) wanted to increase the price tag of each education by 1000 kronor per full-year student (HÅP) and review the full-year performance (HPR) system. She also highlighted the need for education to have a strong research connection, better job security within the university and the importance of student participation in shaping their education.
Fredrik Christensson (C) said that a quality investment is needed, research and teaching need resources, and emphasized the importance of maintaining expertise. The Center Party also wants to abolish HPR and instead introduce a lump sum.
Camilla Hansén (MP) wanted to see an increased attractiveness for the shortage professions. Students, teachers and researchers need to be strengthened. She also highlighted the importance of job security and social security for students.
Fredrik Malm (L) raised teacher-led time, which requires more teachers with doctorates, as well as an "educational boost" aimed at the humanities.
The study tool
Next, questions were asked about student loans. The politicians were asked about changes to student loans, more weeks of student loans, higher student loans, and an increase in interest rates on student loans.
Gunilla Svantorp (S) highlighted the student aid system as a cornerstone of the welfare society, and that fee exemption and the grant component are important.
Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M) said that the free allowance should be removed, and was in favor of more weeks of student loans. Critical of raising the interest rate on student loans.
Robert Stenkvist (SD) proposed an increase of SEK 1000 in student aid for those studying for shortage professions, and argued that the exemption amount should not be increased. He was against an interest rate increase.
Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V) wanted to increase the grant component, reduce students' hidden costs, reintroduce the student condition in the employment insurance, reintroduce investment support and introduce vacation for students. She did not want to increase the number of weeks of study funds, but instead introduce more generous rules. She was against the adjustment study support being paid for by increasing the interest rate on the study funds.
Fredrik Christensson (C) wanted to increase the loan portion.
Fredrik Malm (L) said that the exemption amount should be permanently increased, that students should be able to be on part-time sick leave and that the number of weeks with study funds is well balanced. An increase in the interest rate will hit those who have studied longer courses and female-dominated professions hardest.
Mental health and student health care
The politicians were then asked questions about the well-being of students, student health care and part-time sick leave. Regarding part-time sick leave for students, there was a great deal of agreement among the politicians and no one opposed it.
Gunilla Svantorp (S) mentioned that the government has raised student health as an important issue, but reflected that they may have invested too little.
Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M) highlighted increased collaboration between primary care and student health, and the importance of access to student health across the country.
Robert Stenkvist (SD) highlighted the importance of equal student health across the country.
Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V) supports the University Chancellor's Office (UKÄ) proposal that a higher education institution be tasked with coordinating student health.
Fredrik Christensson (C) said that student health needs to be strengthened and wanted to see a broader investigation into how.
Camilla Hansén (MP) wanted to require that there should be a psychologist at every student health center.
Fredrik Malm (L) said that cooperation between the health center and student health is important.
If politicians are allowed to dream
Finally, the politicians were asked to dream big – what would they do if their party had a majority in parliament?
Gunilla Svantorp (S) had wanted to have an equal primary school, increase basic funding and improve the quality of primary education.
Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M) had wanted to see higher quality, more student housing, and focus on academic freedom.
Robert Stenkvist (SD) had abolished the productivity deduction and ensured that the rules were changed so that all students had a roof over their heads.
Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V) had increased the student grant, introduced a student salary, ensured that students had the right to all insurance systems and given higher education institutions increased funding.
Fredrik Christensson (C) had strengthened the quality of education, abolished HPR and invested in academic freedom.
Camilla Hansén (MP) had increased the student allowance and strengthened student health.
Fredrik Malm (L) had reviewed and strengthened the quality indicators and taken long-term initiatives for large research platforms.