Sweden advances plan for establishing a three-year cap on SFI academic studies
In a significant shift from the previous centre-left government's proposal, the current administration in Sweden has decided not to extend the three-year limit for Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes. Instead, the government is moving towards stricter requirements for these courses.
Sweden's Education Minister, Lotta Edholm, confirmed this change in direction in July 2025. This move indicates that the original proposal to extend the time limit beyond three years has not been adopted or implemented; instead, the discussion has progressed towards limiting or regulating access differently.
The proposal for extending the SFI study limit by another three years in special cases has been submitted to Sweden's Council on Legislation (Lagrådet) for comment. However, it's important to note that the proposal does not mention any changes in the criteria for the extension in its current form.
The decision not to extend the SFI limit has been met with concern, particularly among immigrants who may have plans to return to studies but risk losing their Swedish language skills in the meantime. Lotta Edholm, who is also Sweden's Minister for Upper Secondary School, Higher Education and Research, has stated that more intensive and well-coordinated SFI studies are needed for better results.
SFI classes have been criticised for their inability to fully accommodate students with different educational backgrounds, poor teaching standards, lack of resources, and failure to cater to diverse educational backgrounds. The government believes that it should be possible to extend the three-year limit for SFI studies by another three years in special cases, such as illness.
Despite the stricter requirements, the government is committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of SFI studies in Sweden. The comments from the council are not legally binding but are usually followed. The council will ensure that the law does not conflict with any existing laws, such as the constitution.
The initial implementation date for the proposed changes was set for January 1st, 2025, with an additional three-year transition period for people who are already enrolled on an SFI course. However, the new proposed implementation date for the extension is January 1st, 2026, indicating a delay in the enforcement of these stricter requirements.
The proposal is a result of a collaboration between the Liberals, Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats, reflecting a broader political consensus on the need for reform in SFI education.
As the situation evolves, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the Swedish immigrant community and the effectiveness of SFI classes in the country.
- The current debates surrounding education-and-self-development policy-and-legislation in Sweden, particularly regarding the three-year limit for Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes, have gained prominence in general-news.
- The stricter requirements implemented by the current administration in Sweden for SFI courses could significantly influence learning experiences for immigrants and necessitate further discussions about the policies' impact on education quality and the immigrant community.
