Left Party demands closure of entire Engelska Skolan
The Left Party demands the closure of the entire Engelska Skolan chain following reports of misconduct. Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar describes it as a scandal that cannot continue. The demand arises amid an investigation into a specific school in Uppsala.
The Left Party has toughened its stance against the free school chain Engelska Skolan. The party now demands the shutdown of the entire operation after an investigation in Uppsala revealed serious shortcomings. According to party leader Nooshi Dadgostar, the issues are systemic and extend beyond a single school.
"We demand that the entire chain is shut down. This is a scandal that cannot continue," Dadgostar says in an interview with Aftonbladet. The background is a report from the Schools Inspectorate pointing to mismanagement at Engelska Skolan in Uppsala, including inadequate student support and staffing shortages. Engelska Skolan is one of Sweden's largest free school groups, with around 40 schools and thousands of students.
The party's demand is supported by unions and student organizations but faces opposition from the school's owners and some moderate politicians who argue that individual schools should be addressed rather than a total closure. The government has previously criticized the free school system, but no immediate actions have been announced. The Uppsala investigation is ongoing and could lead to sanctions, but the Left Party seeks broader reforms to protect students' rights.
Dadgostar emphasizes that free schools like Engelska Skolan prioritize profit over quality, a criticism echoing in debates on profits in welfare. The party plans to push the issue in parliament to prevent similar cases in the future.