In a debate article in the teachers' union's member magazine from the end of August this year, Mathias Bengtsson (KD), member of the Riksdag's Education Committee, writes that it is "time for a review of the exception in the Education Act where it is clarified that it should apply to all subjects".
Today, the exemption does not apply to teachers who teach languages, as SVT Småland previously reported.
- Now that this exemption has been around for quite a few years, I think it is reasonable to evaluate and look at the pros and cons of it, says Mathias Bengtsson (KD) to SVT.
Lack of research on teaching in English
As SVT reported earlier this week, there is a lack of research that has examined the effects of allowing Swedish primary school students to be taught in English.
But according to Mathias Bengtsson, the pupils who are taught in English become bilingual and, according to him, this becomes a competitive advantage later in life.
What research are you referring to there?
"It's simply that more trained teachers will be able to help students better.
Schools break the rules around teaching in English
However, it is currently unclear exactly what training the teachers at the English-speaking schools have, as the Schools Inspectorate lacks legal support to check this.
In addition, SVT revealed earlier this week that all newly started schools within Internationella Engelska Skolan were found to be in breach of the rules that apply to schools that teach in English.
Most commonly, they allow foreign teachers who do not have a Swedish licence to teach languages – despite the fact that it is against the rules.
"I am not defending any schools that break the rules, and I think that the Schools Inspectorate has an extremely important role in following up and ensuring that the schools follow the rules.