TechSweden's IT Competence Council has now presented its report Digital Competence in Schools Shapes Future Opportunities. It is based on a clear paradox: Sweden is one of the world's most digitized countries, yet many students still leave elementary school without sufficient digital skills. Four out of ten students in grade 8 lack basic digital skills, and the differences follow clear socioeconomic patterns. This risks creating growing digital exclusion and limiting Sweden's ability to be a leading technation in the future.

Young people today are growing up in a digital world, but digital literacy is not the same as digital competence. In order to be able to evaluate information, understand algorithms, and use digital tools to investigate, analyze, and solve problems, teaching, guidance, and an education system that meets the needs of society and the labor market today and tomorrow are required. The report shows that schools therefore have a key role to play – this is where the foundations are laid for the skills required in the jobs of the future and for Sweden's long-term development.

Schools play a key role – this is where the foundations are laid for the skills required in the jobs of the future and for Sweden's long-term development.
In addition to statistics, the report highlights four examples from Luleå, Malmö, Haninge, and Karlstad – schools and principals who, through clear leadership, perseverance, and a focus on education, have succeeded in using digital tools and AI to strengthen teaching and give students the skills required by today's society and tomorrow's working life.

TechSverige is now calling for a national effort to reverse this trend:
• a long-term strategy for digitization and AI in schools
• digital competence to remain a clear and cross-cutting goal in the curricula
• regular digital competence training for teachers