Göteborg faces high costs for new teacher working hour reform

New regulations regarding teacher working hours, set to take effect in the autumn term of 2027, are projected to impose significant costs on the city of Göteborg. The reform aims to improve working conditions by regulating the maximum amount of time teachers and preschool teachers can spend on instruction versus planning and follow-up.

According to calculations from the city's primary school administration, Göteborg will need to hire 120 additional teachers at an annual cost of 85 million SEK. Further staffing requirements are estimated to cost an additional 85 million SEK, while independent schools will require 50 million SEK in compensation. The total estimated cost is 220 million SEK, though state subsidies are expected to cover approximately 100 million SEK.

The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) has criticized the reform, citing underfunding, a tight timeline, and the risk of increasing the number of unqualified teachers. Local officials in Göteborg have echoed these concerns, calling the lack of full funding irresponsible. Conversely, Education Minister Lotta Edholm stated that the government is providing 2.6 billion SEK to municipalities, describing it as a major investment in the school system.