As the cases of people infected with the coronavirus increase, Swedish authorities are adjusting their policies on a day-by-day basis, trying to respond to the current spread of the virus and the latest expert recommendations.
On March 17th, the government recommended educational institutions, including gymnasieskolor (upper secondary schools), and universities to transition to long-distance education from Wednesday onwards.
Does this mean that my university is closed?
No, not really. Educational institutions continue their activities, though might do so with closed doors. In the words of Stockholm University's president Astrid Söderbergh Widding: “It is important to remember: we are not closing the university – we are switching to other ways of working.”
As this policy is only a recommendation and – thus far – not a requirement, it's advisable to check in with the institution you're studying at. Some universities decided to keep their doors open for a limited period of time, giving students the opportunity to gather books or other materials necessary for home study. The Gothenburg University, for example, said it would take until March 26th to adjust.
Lund University. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT
Why is this recommendation mainly directed at adult education and not, for example, at primary schools and preschools?
The Swedish public health agency, Folkhälsomyndigheten, hopes to slow down the spread of the virus by limiting the gathering of people and thereby protect society's most vulnerable members.
“It is reasonable at this point in time to encourage upper secondary schools, universities and colleges to switch to online, long-distance education. In this way, education can continue without pupils and students having to gather in classrooms and lecture halls,” stated general director Johan Carlson on the agency's website, reasoning that students don't need the same supervision that younger children need.
Schools for younger children may be told to close at a later stage, according to authorities, but it is not seen as an effective measure in terms of containing the virus at this stage. This is both because of the nature of the virus (children appear to be affected to a lesser extent than adults) and because of the societal impact, for example because that may make it harder for parents of young children to go to work in essential jobs.
“It is not possible to just close schools without knowing where the children are going – for both social, psychological but also infection prevention reasons,” Carlson said at a press conference on March 13th.
Will I still receive my student grant or loan?
Yes, if you already received support and were eligible for support the oncoming months the payments should continue as usual, according to the minister for higher education and research Matilda Ernkrans. Furthermore, she told the newspaper Dagens Nyheter that the government is currently examining the possibility of creating a policy which would secure student funding in “exceptional situations”.
Students are now expected to study at home. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT
What about exams?
Course work, as well as exams, are supposed to continue, though at times in different forms and with different means. The Stockholm University, for example, has left it up to its staff to come up with “suitable alternatives” for the regular curriculum. In some cases, certain institutions may decide to postpone deadlines or examinations and extend the spring semester into summer.
Is it true that the Högskoleprov, the Scholastic Aptitude Tests that thousands of aspiring students sit every year, has been cancelled this spring?
Yes, it is, for the first time since 1977. The test was due to take place on April 4th but has been cancelled altogether due to the government's decision to ban all gatherings of over 500 people.
The 70,000 students who signed up will have to sit a test at a later date. The next one is in autumn, on October 18th.
If you signed up for the test and you still have questions, you can find more information here.
Will I still be able to get the materials I need?
This might differ from institution to institution, so it's best to check with them. However, several universities and colleges already confirmed they would enable student to pick up books at given moments during the week. Here you can find the latest information about the libraries of the Stockholm University, here for those of Gothenburg University, here for those of Malmö University, and here for those of Lund University.
Support is generally also given to those who don't have home access to a computer.
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