Nearly all children in Sweden go to school. In fact, school attendance is compulsory. That means that you have to go to school until you are sixteen years old or until you have completed the first nine school years. Most pupils continue for several more years in the upper secondary school. But school attendance is compulsory only for children who have a residence permit in Sweden.

Can I go to school even though I don’t have a residence permit?

Answer: If you or your family are seeking asylum in Sweden, you have the right to go to school. If you are not seeking asylum, it can be more difficult. It’s not against the law to let a child without a residence permit go to school, but some adults who work at the schools believe it is. They don’t have to accept you, but they can if they want to. The government, which decides in Sweden, has said that all children should go to school.

What can I do if I’m not allowed to go to school?

Answer: If you know a teacher or some other adult who works at a school, you can talk to him or her and ask for advice. Some schools can’t take any more children because their classes are already full, and if this is the case you may stand a better chance at another school.

Does it cost anything to go to school?

Answer: There are special schools which you must pay to go to, but most schools are free. If you go to the basic comprehensive school, you also receive food once a day, and this does not cost anything. Sometimes, you may need to pay for things like an excursion, or for gym clothes. In some upper secondary schools, you have to pay for the food.

Can the police take me when I’m at school?

Answer: The police can collect children at school. It’s not forbidden. But it doesn’t happen very often, since most headmasters and chiefs of police believe that children should go to school and that it would be stupid to frighten them off.