In October 2021, the percentage of qualified teachers was 56.6 percent in Kiruna, which was roughly on par with most other inland municipalities in Norrbotten.
What it looks like this academic year will only be seen when schools have started.
Last year it was particularly tough and at some schools there were unfilled teaching positions well into the semester.
The mine and industry attract
A week before the start of school, they are not done with all the recruitments, but the head of school Viktoria Berglund hopes to be able to fill all the positions before the first call.
- We're not just talking about qualified teachers, but about filling the positions with people who work, says school director Viktoria Berglund.
The challenges in Kiruna are partly about coping with the competition against well-paid jobs in mining and industry, and partly about being able to replace pending retirements.
Major housing shortage
Even when there are interested teachers who want to start working in Kiruna, it is not easy.
The housing shortage is dire.
Viktoria Berglund is now calling for a wider social commitment to solve the teacher crisis.
You can hear her in the clip.