Stockholm's school budget for 2020 comprises about 20 billion, of which 11 billion goes to compulsory school.

In the 2019 budget, 73 percent of the school money went to the principals. But in the blue-green proposal for 2020-2022, that proportion falls to 72 percent. That means 110 million less for school activities - money that goes to new buildings and rents instead.

- As Stockholm grows, the number of pupils increases and more schools are needed. But it is expensive to build new, which is why the education administration has to change the distribution of school fees so that more money goes to the construction of new schools and less goes to the principals, says the school mayor Lotta Edholm (L).

Hidden savings consider the opposition

According to SKL, tuition money should increase by approximately 2.7 per cent annually to cover wage costs and inflation. According to the blue-green budget, the elementary school has received such a standard increase. But the opposition believes that there is a hidden saving in school operations when the principals receive one percent less of the school fees.

- It is alarming that the compulsory school does not receive enough money to cover salary increases. This will affect the activities of the schools and lead to deterioration for the students, says opposition mayor Karin Wanngård (S).

- We will do what we can to save on administration and reduce local costs so that we can use the money for priority operations. But I think that the principals have to focus on tougher times in the coming years, says the school mayor, Lotta Edholm (L)

New state grant does not mean more money

By 2020, there will be SEK 4.9 billion for municipalities and free schools to apply for from the government's so-called large school investment in the state budget. Of these, Stockholm has 250 million in preliminary grants. But these grants replace others that are being phased out and do not, in effect, entail any additional contribution to school activities.

- Yes, it is true that there will be transfers of existing funds which will not give more money to the elementary school. The two largest targeted grants that the previous low-stage investment and the equality grant take out from each other, says Lotta Edholm (L).