When the autumn term of 2019 began, the school authority in Åland recorded a record in the number of homeschooled children: 67, compared with eight children in 2012. The majority of the children are Swedish.

Since Sweden basically banned the teaching method in 2011, many who want to teach their children home settled in other countries. Almost at hand lies Åland, which is Swedish-speaking.

"Parents are engaged"

In the capital Mariehamn, the trend is clearly visible, as local teachers regularly meet with the homeschooled children for examinations. The experience so far is good, says the school principal in Mariehamn, Kjell Nilsson:

- The conditions are quite good, because the parents are engaged and think this is important, he says. Our experiences so far are good, with a few exceptions.

In principle, impossible in Sweden

In most European countries, homeschooling is permitted. The same is true in the Nordic countries, with the exception of Sweden. Here, the rules were tightened for 2011, and since then it is basically impossible to teach their children at home. School Minister Anna Ekström thinks that's right.

- The school is there for the children to gain knowledge, but also for them to learn to socialize with other children, she tells SVT.