Homeschooling in Sweden is Set to Become a Whole Lot Tougher

There are moves afoot in Sweden to make homeschooling a whole lot tougher, and the amendments are currently going through finishing touches before they are presented to Parliament. Under the new laws home education would only be allowed under “extraordinary circumstances”.

In only one year, homeschooling in Sweden has gone from being totally acceptable to authorities being much more aggressive this year. In 2008, Jonas Himmelstrand, president of the Swedish homeschoolers association (ROHUS) received permission from the local school to homeschool, but this year families are being fined, and the new law would allow the imposition of criminal sanctions.

Lisa Angerstig said that the authorities had acted very aggressively toward her family, and they have been fined $1,400, and the Swedish authorities are seeking to enforce the fine. Some of Lisa’s children attend the local Christian school, but Lisa’s second son was bored at school, and asked to be homeschooled. Lisa agreed, as she had homeschooled their other children.

It is important that the HSLDA fight for the right to homeschool so that parents can provide the best education for their children. Homeschooling works well, and is a valid form of education for many parents. How long before America has its first wave of homeschooling asylum seekers from Sweden?

Please pray that the HSLDA and ROHUS can work together to achieve harmony in Sweden’s homeschooling sector once again. ROHUS also have a petition for people living outside of Sweden, to preserve the right to home education in Sweden. Please sign this petition to keep homeschooling legal in Sweden.

Could you also please continue to pray for the reuniting of Dominic Johannson with his parents, Annie and Christer? This little boy has been separated from the love of his parents for far too long – imagine the anguish that both he and they are going through. Dominic and his parents are only allowed a one hour visit every five weeks. This is an atrocious infringement of basic human rights, and what right do the authorities have to separate a loving family and their seven year old son? What was the parents’ crime? They chose not to vaccinate their son and delayed minor dental treatments. Watch out – who’s next?

6 Responses to “Homeschooling in Sweden is Set to Become a Whole Lot Tougher”

1. tricia says:

   March 11, 2010 at 3:12 am

   Wow, what a great informative post. A lot happened in only one year? That’s scary. And that little boy, I never heard anything about that. That is terrible. Amazing what comes from tyranny in governments. Nothing good for sure.
2. Jillian says:

   March 11, 2010 at 4:32 pm

   Hi Tricia,
   There sure has been a lot happening in Sweden.

   Dominic Johannson is a seven year old boy, who was snatched from his parents as they waited for their plane to leave Sweden for India, where the parents were planning on relocating, in order to be near the mother’s parents. Please pray for the swift and safe reuniting of Dominic with his parents.

   Sweden’s homeschooling laws used to be the most relaxed of all, but now they’re tougening up – not a good sign.

   Have a wonderful and blessed week,
   Jillian ♥
3. Studies In Sweden – Stress Free says:

   March 11, 2010 at 10:55 pm

   [...] Homeschooling in Sweden is Set to Become a Whole Lot Tougher « Footprints Diary [...]
4. Ganeida says:

   March 12, 2010 at 7:58 am

   I have been following the Johannson’s story. It is just horrifying, with no resolution in sight.

   Swedish visitors told us they could be fined if, through no fault of their own, their holiday extended past the school start date.

   I have found Sweden fascinating for years. Their socialist system seemed to have found a median between communism & capitalism but then their suicide rate went through the roof & now this! End times indeed.
5. Jillian says:

   March 12, 2010 at 5:38 pm

   Hi Ganeida,
   We have been praying for Dominic Johannson, Christer and Annie ever since he was removed from his parents’ custody. I am now praying that ROHUS and the HSLDA will be able to block these new homeschooling laws.

   Yes, we are in end times, and I pray that the Lord Jesus will come quickly.

   Have a wonderful and blessed weekend,
   Jillian ♥
6. homeschooling friends says:

   April 5, 2010 at 2:14 pm

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