4½ out of 5 of the Decision Book's proposals are supported - up to proof, Jan Björklund!

Almedalen Digital participation Digital services Skills supply Education and training
Digkommission logoToday, Thursday, the Digitization Commission presented the interim report A digital agenda at the service of people. In addition to a general description of the implementation of the government's digital agenda, the report makes specific proposals on IT in school education. The Commission and its chairman Jan Gulliksen argue that schools are a particular priority area where a digital investment would have a number of leverage effects on society at large.

IT&Telecom companies welcome this focus on schools, where we are also pleased that the proposals largely follow the IT&Telecom companies' and DiU's joint action program Decision Book, which was presented in 2013.

The Digitization Commission's proposals in summary:

  • incorporate digital perspectives into policy documents
  • make national tests digital
  • implement a digital skills upgrade for teachers
  • implement a digital skills upgrade for head teachers
  • more digital elements in teacher training
  • promote research, methodology development and impact measurement
  • implement innovation projects for the future of learning

The proposals broadly implement the five proposal areas of the Decision Book. What is not fully implemented is the creation of regional knowledge centers. What is also missing is a proposal for a vision for IT in school education. The Decision Book's proposal is: "Sweden should be a world leader in the use of digital learning resources as a means of achieving school learning objectives."

In other words, the vision is still 'available' for the Minister of Education to take on board. Unfortunately, however, without visionary leadership, the proposals of the Digitalization Commission will remain untouched. It's a shame if we have to wait until after the election for something to happen...