The study association's criticism: "The municipality is culturally impoverished"

Just over ten years ago, Trelleborg was one of the municipalities in the country that provided the most municipal support for public education.

The study associations with their study circles and courses have fulfilled an important function in the working-class city of Trelleborg, says Johannes Mattisson, business developer for the study association Vuxenskolan.

- We are a democracy builder and create a social existence for many people.

We make people grow and raise their self-esteem.

SD wants to reduce support

But in 2019, the municipal grants to the student unions in Trelleborg were halved;

from 3.5 million to 1.7 million per year.

In 2021, the support was completely gone and now several student unions have left the city.

ABF and the study association Vuxenskolan have cut back but survive with the help of central funding.

Mikael Rubin (M), then chairman of the municipal board, justified the decision by saying that the municipality would rather spend money on activities for young people.

The cut was possible thanks to support from SD, which at the national level has proposed reductions in state support for public education.

In the budget negotiations for 2022, the party wanted to reduce the appropriations for study associations and folk high schools by a fifth, or close to SEK 1.2 billion, compared with the government's proposal.

"Culturally impoverished"

Johannes Mattisson is provoked by the fact that SD proposes cultural investments for several million in the Viking castle at the same time as the student unions go to their knees.

- The municipality is culturally impoverished.

A lot of influences from abroad are mixed here and we exist so that everyone can develop their culture, no matter where you come from.

Tomas Olsson (SD), second vice chairman of the culture and leisure committee, says that it is about prioritizing right in a thin cultural budget.

Investments in Trelleborgen give the municipality more revenue, he believes.

- It is better to spend money on creating some jobs instead and increase the tourism industry.

If we get more tax money, we may be able to finance it (student unions) again in a different way, says Tomas Olsson.

Johannes Mattisson, however, has no hopes of getting the support back to the student unions.

- If you have once removed the support for public education, it is gone.

I've never seen an example anywhere where you've turned.

Johannes Mattisson was previously a member of the People's Party (Liberals) which he left in 2009. He has represented the party in the culture committee in Staffanstorp in the years 2004-2009.