Sameskolstyrelsen (SamS)

In 1964 compulsory school attendance was extended to nine years and a special Sami junior high school was founded in Gällivare. When the Curriculum for the Compulsory School System of 1969 was introduced, the Swedish National Agency for Education sent out supplementary details on how to teach Sami children. In this supplement it is stated that the content and disposition of education for Sami children should be adjusted according to Sami children’s needs and where it is possible the teaching language should be Sami.

1983/84 was a trial year for integrated Sami teaching at a few schools. This type of education became permanent in 1987.

According to the Sami School Decree a municipality can arrange integrated Sami education for Sami children in compulsory schools, after agreement with the Sami Education Board. The education itself should be an opportunity for Sami pupils to enter more deeply into Sami studies and should be coordinated with corresponding education for other pupils in the compulsory school. The education includes years 1-9 in the compulsory school and is an important complement to the Sami schools. In this way pupils with no possibility to choose a Sami school can still get a Sami viewpoint in their education. In addition, coordinated Sami teaching for years 7-9 becomes a natural sequence for pupils who have passed through the Sami schools.