Swedish Teachers Union: Liberals seem to have forgotten preschool teachers

The Liberal Party (L) has announced a significant electoral pledge, committing 7 billion Swedish kronor to boost the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers. This initiative aims to elevate the status of educators, with party leader Simona Mohamsson stating that restoring teacher status is key to achieving world-class education.

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Restoring teacher status is key to achieving world-class education.

"Today, the salary difference between a teacher and a member of parliament can be more than double, and that says something about how society views the finest and most important profession we have in Sweden," said Minister for Gymnasium, Higher Education, and Research, Lotta Edholm (L). The party proposes that the state take a greater role in teacher salaries, contingent on municipalities contributing half the cost through a special state grant. Edholm articulated a long-term vision: "In the long run, teachers should have salaries as high as members of parliament."

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Today, the salary difference between a teacher and a member of parliament can be more than double, and that says something about how society views the finest and most important profession we have in Sweden.

While the Swedish Teachers' Union welcomes the proposed investment, it expresses strong criticism regarding the exclusion of preschool teachers from the salary increase calculations. "Higher salaries are needed. Internationally, salaries are low in Sweden. But it seems they have completely forgotten preschool when calculating their electoral promise. That would be a significant oversight," wrote union chairwoman Anna Olskog in a commentary to DN. Olskog emphasized that all licensed teachers must be included and cautioned that past state-led salary initiatives have often been arbitrary and lacked grounding in individual teachers' objective merits.

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In the long run, teachers should have salaries as high as members of parliament.

Andreas Mörck, director at the Swedish Free School Principals' Association Almega, stressed that the initiative must also encompass teachers in free schools. He added that politicians should "create long-term conditions, not set salaries." The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) declined to comment on the electoral pledge.

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Higher salaries are needed. Internationally, salaries are low in Sweden. But it seems they have completely forgotten preschool when calculating their electoral promise. That would be a significant oversight.