What does the data show?

Objective observations — not interpretations

• Confessional independent schools are a small part of the Swedish school system: about 65 schools and roughly 1 % of all pupils in compulsory and upper-secondary school.
• The number of Islamic independent schools has declined since 2019 following a series of withdrawn permits — primarily linked to unsuitable ownership, ties to violent extremism, or governance failures.
• The Education Act (chapter 1 §7) permits confessional elements in the education programme, but the teaching itself must be non-confessional. Participation in confessional elements must be voluntary.
• Skolinspektionen has expanded its inspection of confessional independent schools since 2019 — including tightened suitability screening of owners and stricter requirements on separating teaching from confessional elements.
• SOU 2019:64 proposed a moratorium on new confessional independent schools. The moratorium took effect in 2024 for compulsory and upper-secondary schools.

Definitions

How the numbers are counted — and what they do not cover

Confessional school

A school whose operator has registered a confessional profile under the Education Act, chapter 1 §7. Such schools may include confessional elements in the education programme — but the teaching itself must be non-confessional.

Independent school (‘friskola’)

A school with an operator other than a municipality or region. Independent schools are open to all pupils and are financed by a per-pupil grant from the pupil's home municipality.

Operator (‘huvudman’)

The legal entity (municipality, region, company, foundation or association) responsible for running the school and for compliance with the Education Act.

Education Act (‘skollagen’)

SFS 2010:800. Regulates the entire Swedish school system — basic requirements on teaching, grading, pupil health, inspection and operator status.

Confessional elements

Religiously motivated activities — e.g. prayer, worship, religious song. Under the Education Act these must be voluntary and clearly separated from teaching.

Teaching (‘undervisning’)

Goal-directed processes led by teachers, aimed at learning in line with curricula. Must always be non-confessional — including in confessional schools.

Education (‘utbildning’)

A broader term covering teaching plus other school activities (breaks, activities, pupil health). Confessional elements are permitted in the education as a whole — but not in teaching.

Inspection (‘tillsyn’)

Skolinspektionen's oversight of operator compliance with the Education Act. May result in orders, fines, temporary bans or — as a last resort — withdrawal of permit.

Skolinspektionen

The Swedish Schools Inspectorate. Approves new independent schools and inspects all school forms. Publishes decisions in an open diary.

Permit

Approval from Skolinspektionen to operate an independent school. Required both for establishment and for material changes to the operation.

Withdrawn permit

Skolinspektionen may withdraw approval if the operator is judged unsuitable, if operations show serious deficiencies, or if the law is not followed. The school must then cease operating.

Pupil count

The number of pupils registered by Skolverket as of 15 October each school year. Used for per-pupil funding, inspection and statistics.

School form

The Education Act's categorisation: preschool class, compulsory school, adapted compulsory school, special school, Sami school, upper-secondary school, adapted upper-secondary school, adult education.

Freedom of religion

A constitutional right under the Instrument of Government (2:1) and Article 9 ECHR — including the right to have one's children educated in accordance with one's convictions (ECHR Protocol 1 Art. 2).

Guardian

The person(s) with legal custody of a child — usually parents. Under the Education Act guardians must be informed of confessional elements and be able to opt out.

Suitability screening

Skolinspektionen's assessment of an operator's financial and personal suitability — introduced in expanded form in 2019 following Prop. 2017/18:158.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to what is most often discussed