Response to interpellation 2023/24:593 on state grants for adapted education within adult education (komvux)
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns state subsidies and funding for adapted education within komvux for persons with disabilities. L argues that the Yrkesvuxutredningen proposes that the government should appoint an inquiry into the funding of studies within municipal adult education as adapted education 1. L intends to review the referral opinion before decisions are made 1. S considers it concerning that the target group has limited opportunities and that it is time to increase the maximum amount for the subsidy because it is being eroded by inflation 2. S argues that it is unreasonable to wait for a new inquiry before measures are taken 2.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utbildningsministern Mats Persson (L)
Mr. Speaker! Caroline Helmersson Olsson has asked me if I consider that an investigation is needed to amend the ordinance (2007:1345) on state grants for certain studies for persons with disabilities and if I intend to take any measures to amend the ordinance for the purpose of raising the maximum amount.
In the Yrkesvuxutredningen's report *Change profession as an adult - a reformed adult education and a new vocational school for adults* (SOU 2024:16), the commission has an extensive section on facilitating transitions to the labor market for students within adapted education. The commission's analysis of how to facilitate transitions to the labor market for this target group consists of several parts, and the individual's financing of studies is a part of this.
The investigation describes, among other things, that the target group must be given increased access to vocational and apprenticeship training and to continuous support and guidance. A basic prerequisite for increased access to vocational training to be effective is, however, that the target group is given an opportunity to finance studies within municipal adult education as adapted education, which is crucial for the target group's transition to work in the longer term. The investigation therefore proposes that the government shall appoint an inquiry into the financing of studies within municipal adult education as adapted education.
The investigation has recently submitted its report to the undersigned, and the next step is now to refer it. I look forward to reviewing the referral opinions before we take a position on these questions.
Caroline Helmersson Olsson (S)
Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! The Minister refers to the Yrkesvuxutredningen, which he also did in the answer to the written question that I asked over a year ago. The investigation is important, and it points out many obstacles that this target group faces when transitioning to the labor market. There must be more opportunities, and the investigation points out some of them. I also look forward to the referral responses and a future proposition.
The funding of studies within adapted komvux is crucial, just as the minister says. It is complex and needs to be investigated; I agree with that. But it is concerning that the target group within the framework of the current regulations for social insurance, student grants, the labor market, and social services has very limited opportunities.
The investigation points out that there are also obstacles at the municipal level when the target group is to finance their studies, which causes some of these people to refrain. So we cannot have that! We want everyone who can work to work, and we know that the path to work often goes through education. These people must also be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential as individuals, as the minister just spoke about.
I agree with the committee's proposal, except in the specific case I am talking about: the small grant. It is small because few people study with this grant. It is those who have no other possibility of compensation who can receive it. The issue has been investigated by SPSM, and since 2019, SPSM has turned to the government and demanded that the regulation be changed.
The proposal means that the maximum amount, which is currently regulated to 9,700 kronor per month, shall be adjusted in accordance with the price base amount, which is determined every year. The amount has remained at the same level since 2012, so it is time. Due to the high inflation, the compensation level is being eroded, which has very negative consequences for those who are to study full-time and support themselves through this grant.
SPSM has also profitably submitted regulatory proposals and proposals for amendments. They are surely on the minister's desk, if he hasn't put them in some folder. SPSM has calculated that the ceiling amount will be able to be raised to 12,606 kronor if it is done in this way. This may seem like a tiny issue for the minister. But it is a huge issue for those it affects, who might be able to manage without social assistance while they study and probably also be able to get a job. SPSM also assesses that the amendments can be implemented without the grant being increased.
I am thinking about the answer. It cannot be possible that the Minister for Education means that we should wait for the referral opinion – the referral period expires on June 10 – in order to subsequently appoint an investigation which might also take a year and which will then be sent out for referral. It is not reasonable to have to wait for all of this so that we can do something about this unreasonable ceiling. There is other stuff in the investigation that the government has already launched without any proposal being put forward, so I do not think this should be impossible either.
I wonder if the Minister for Education can elaborate on the answer so that I do not misunderstand it. We are not going to wait for a couple of years while this grant is further eroded, are we?
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.