Past grades are an issue that is repeatedly raised, and which has also been put to the test in some schools in the country. But among the Swedish voters, the doubt is great. Almost 6 out of 10 respondents in the survey say they do not think grades should be introduced from grade four.

A main question for L

After negotiations within the Alliance government, grades from year 6 were introduced in 2011. Ratings from year 4 were then included in the election campaign in 2014 and likewise before the election this autumn. The party that has mainly driven the issue is the Liberals with the party leader, former Minister of Education, Jan Björklund in the lead.

- There is always a skepticism about change, you know how it works today but not really how it would work in a different way. We experienced exactly the same skepticism when we introduced ratings in the 6th, then there was a fairly sharp criticism and discussion about this but once it is completed, most people think it is good, says Jan Björklund (L).

Voters who sympathize with the red-green parties are clearly more negative than those of the Alliance and the Swedish Democrats. But even among the sympathizers of the alliance, there is clearly strong support. Photo: SVT Design

Alliance voters split

If you choose to look only at the alliance voters, the picture looks a little different and half say they want to see an earlier rating, at the same time almost the same number are against the proposal.

- You have to make suggestions that you think are important for real, you can't just stick a wet finger in the air and feel where the wind is blowing. Sweden removed the grades at the middle school in the 1980s and since then school results have dropped. I think there is a connection, says Jan Björklund (L).