In this bonus episode of Sweden in Focus, we speak to the Social Democratic former education minister Anna Ekström about Nordic ‘folk high schools’, budget cuts to study associations, worsening segregation in Sweden’s schools, why boys are underperforming, and whether Sweden needs more external grading.

In Saturday’s episodethe former government minister talked about ‘folkbildning’ as a particularly Nordic approach to education. 

Here we continue the conversation as Anna Ekström talks about her roles within the ABF study association, the history of the wider folkbildning movement, and the challenges faced today by the Swedish education system. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton.

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