THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Back to books - Sweden's schools cutting back on digital learning Get Alerts STOCKHOLM - Sweden’s government is championing a renewed focus on physical books, paper and pens in classrooms, designed to reverse falling literacy levels. But doubling down on analogue tools has drawn criticism from tech companies, educators and computer scientists, who argue it could impact pupils’ employment prospects, and even damage the Nordic nation’s economy. At a high school in Nacka just outside Stockholm, final-year students are unpacking laptops from rucksacks and tote bags, alongside items they say they used less frequently a few years ago. “I now go home from school with new books and papers often,” says Sophie, 18. She says one teacher “has started printing all the texts that we use during the lesson”, while a digital learning platform in maths lessons has been swapped out for textbook-only teaching. It’s an image that clashes with Sweden’s reputation as one of Europe’s most tech savvy societies, thanks to high levels of digital skills, and a thriving tech start-up scene. Laptops became mainstream in Swedish classrooms in the late 2000s and early 2010s. By 2015, around 80% of pupils at mun…

Printed books classrooms Sweden: why schools are turning back to paper For years, the digitalization of education was considered inevitable. Schools rushed to place tablets in classrooms while governments invested billions into educational technology, and Silicon Valley promised a future where learning would become more interactive, personalised and efficient. Now, Sweden is doing something unexpected: stepping back. In 2023, theSwedish government announced a renewed investment in printed textbooks, a return to writing on paper and quieter classroomswith less screen exposure, especially for younger children. The move surprised many becauseSweden had long positioned itself as one of Europe’s most digitally progressive educational systems. Throughout the 2010s, Swedish schools became closely associated with a technology-first approach to education, with policymakers presenting digitalisation as part of the country’s broader reputation for innovation and modernisation. The country has spent years integrating digital learning tools into classrooms, including in some nursery and preschool settings. Now, however, it is questioning whether the rapid digitalisation of learning improve…

Swedish schools turn back to paper amid worries over digital ... STOCKHOLM - Sweden, once seen as a global leader in bringing laptops and tablets into classrooms, is now investing heavily in printed textbooks amid growing concerns that extensive screen use may be hurting children's learning and concentration. At Bandhagen school in Stockholm, fourth-grade students read aloud from printed materials after spending part of the lesson reading books of their choice -- a scene that reflects Sweden's broader shift back toward paper-based learning. "When I read on devices, I usually get a headache," said Emilia, who is in her teens. "I can concentrate better when I read physical books." Sweden rapidly expanded the use of digital devices in schools around 2010, but debate intensified after results from the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment showed sharp declines in reading and mathematics scores between 2018 and 2022. A government-commissioned review by neuroscientists and pediatric experts concluded that heavy reliance on digital devices could impair attention and concentration and that printed materials may be more effective for learning. In response, Sweden changed…

Swedish schools turn back to paper amid worries over digital impact STOCKHOLM (Kyodo) -- Sweden, once seen as a global leader in bringing laptops and tablets into classrooms, is now investing heavily in printed textboo

Swedish schools turn back to paper amid worries over digital impact Children read from printed booklets in a classroom in Stockholm on March 19, 2026. (Kyodo) STOCKHOLM (Kyodo) -- Sweden, once seen as a global leader in bringing laptops and tablets into classrooms, is now investing heavily in printed textbooks amid growing concerns that extensive screen use may be hurting children's learning and concentration. At Bandhagen school in Stockholm, fourth-grade students read aloud from printed materials after spending part of the lesson reading books of their choice -- a scene that reflects Sweden's broader shift back toward paper-based learning. "When I read on devices, I usually get a headache," said Emilia, who is in her teens. "I can concentrate better when I read physical books." Sweden rapidly expanded the use of digital devices in schools around 2010, but debate intensified after results from the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment showed sharp declines in reading and mathematics scores between 2018 and 2022. A government-commissioned review by neuroscientists and pediatric experts concluded that heavy reliance on digital devices could impair attention and concen…

Sweden went all-digital in 2009 — now it's spending €104M to bring ... © Sweden went all-digital in 2009 — now it's spending €104M to bring books back Share this post Post on Facebook Post on Flipboard Share on LinkedIn Post on Reddit Share on Threads Share on X Send through Whatsapp Sweden is rebalancing its “digital-first” school experiment: printed textbooks are coming back, backed by multi-year public funding. The aim is focus and fluency—without abandoning useful digital tools. From Innovation To Reconsideration Back in 2009, Sweden embraced classroom digitisation , but the shift gathered pace across the 2010s rather than arriving all at once. Tablets were even introduced in some preschools, a move now being reassessed in light of learning outcomes and classroom focus.¹ Despite remaining a strong performer, concern has grown over basic skills in reading and writing. In response, the Government has funded a return to printed textbooks : SEK 685 million (2023), SEK 658 million (2024) and SEK 755 million (2025) , with SEK 555 million planned annually thereafter.² The policy goal is one textbook per pupil and subject , now clarified in law.³ Did you know? From July 1, 2024 , amen…