The state grant to reduce the gaps between schools and municipalities amounts to SEK 4.9 billion next year. Högsby in Kalmar County is entitled to the most money per pupil, SEK 10,762. Then follow Flen, Hällefors, Ljusnarsberg and Filipstad.

The condition is that the Riksdag votes yes to the budget bill, that the municipalities apply for the money and fulfill the conditions for the grant.

Must not reduce their own costs

According to the rules, the municipality, or the independent principal, must not reduce their own costs for teaching and student health compared to the average cost of the three previous years.

The National Agency for Education therefore decided this summer to withdraw a total of SEK 24 million from seven school principals, a school company and six municipalities, precisely because they have cut costs.

Hällefors expects to meet the conditions

Hällefors Municipality states that you do not expect to reduce any costs, and that you intend to seek all the money that can be sought.

- We will use the money for, among other things, digitization, says Peter Wiker, development strategist in the municipality of Hällefors.

Sweden's municipalities and county councils, SKL, have protested against the rules and the National Agency for Education believes that municipalities that already have strained finances and must save risk being left without a grant, while municipalities with better finances can continue to receive the grant. The risk is therefore, it is believed, that inequality is instead reinforced.