Every fifth parent of students in Swedish lower secondary schools have experienced, and report that safety and security has deteriorated in school over the past three years. These are the findings of the new report by Addsecure. The report sheds light on the perceived safety and security in Swedish municipal primary and lower secondary schools and calls for equal learning conditions throughout the country.

The problem is experienced to a greater extent in municipal primary and lower secondary schools than in private schools. In addition, every fifth parent (21%) experiences that safety and security has deteriorated in school over the past three years, even more so among parents of children in grades 7-9. Based on the fact that a safe and well-functioning school is crucial for students' knowledge and development, Addsecure is launching a report that maps the security and safety situation in Swedish schools.

“Safe students are a prerequisite for learning, and a safe school environment lays the foundation for the society we want to see in the future. The fact that every fifth parent feels that security has deteriorated in recent years indicates a negative trend. Several factors can affect schools' access to resources, tools, and knowledge to work systematically with security and safety. This stands in the way of us achieving an equal school, where all students have the same opportunity to achieve their highest potential. With this report, we want to establish a current picture and call for change where all students have access to a safe school”, says Magnus Hammarsten, spokesperson for school safety at Addsecure.

Since the school attack in Trollhättan in 2015, several municipalities and schools have strengthened the systematic security work regarding external threats. The report also mentions a tougher school climate with more threats between students, in addition to physical damage and theft both during and after school hours. The concern among parents is often greater among those who have experienced threats and violence at their child's school (39%) compared with those who have not / rarely experienced it (3%).

“It is oftentimes enough for a school to be affected in one way or another and it is often only then that investments are made in solutions that will prevent something from happening again. It should not be the case that schools have to be affected before preventative measures are taken;” says Mikaela Lindqvist, Security Manager at Uppsala Kommun Skolfastigheter AB.