Permanent Education in Sweden.

Overview & Synopsis

This report describes the levels of the Swedish educational system as it now exists, and discusses the directions which changes in educational policy may take. A principal consideration is the possibility of changing the allocation of resources to education to provide greater support for adult education. The report raises the question of whether the continued expansion of youth education is the wisest expenditure of resources, since it increases the "educational gap" between the generations. Most of the present labor force had only six or seven years of old-fashioned primary education, but 80%-85% of the younger generation receive an education lasting 11 or 12 years. A system of "recurrent education" -- education that could occur at periodic intervals after the individual has completed his compulsory intermediate schooling and begun work -- is suggested as a possible addition to the youth-oriented educational system. (MF)