Students’ rights – important for you and the folkhögskola. 

Information from Folkhögskolans Studierättsliga Råd (FRO), (Student Rights Council at Folkhögskola).

Folkhögskola is a form of education that is governed by objectives to contribute to, for example, participation, engagement and the democratic development of society. The schools decide for themselves on the structure of their operations. The Swedish Schools Act does not apply and there are no national curricula for folkögskola. The government grants that the schools receive to run their operations are distributed by the Swedish National Council of Adult Education. 

The schools must also meet the Swedish National Council of Adult Education’s terms and conditions for government grants, of which students’ rights form an important part.  The school’s procedures concerning students’ rights should enable you as a participant to read the school’s rules on issues concerning students’ rights, such as the handling of complaints, disciplinary measures and participant influence. 

At a folkhögskola, the Board is the highest body that is responsible for the school and the study programme. For you as a student, this means that the school’s Board will make most of the decisions that affect your situation and your rights at the school.  To boost the legal position of all persons who study at a folk high school, there is a Folhögskole Council for Students’ Rights (FSR). You can find out more below about how FSR works and what we can help you with in your role as a participant.  Dissatisfied? In a conflict? 

This is what you do!  

Are you dissatisfied with your situation or have come into conflict with the school? The first thing you should do is to approach the school’s head teacher. If you are not satisfied after having raised the issue with the head teacher, you can report your case to the school’s Board. 

When they have adopted a position on the issue and if you are still not satisfied, you can report your case to FSR. Bear in mind that all applications and notifications received by FSR become public documents. They may therefore be disclosed in accordance with the principle of public access.  

What kind of issue can you report? 

The following issues can be reported to FSR:   

• your course is not delivering what the school had promised   
• the school’s handling of complaints  
• the school’s handling of disciplinary measures, e.g. warning, exclusion and expulsion  inadequate information about fees  
• inadequate study counselling   
• inadequate follow-up on study plan   
• inadequate communication about study results  
• the school’s actions if a course is interrupted or cancelled  
• lack of participant influence and students’ rights. 

It is not possible to appeal confirmed study assessments to FSR or to any other body outside the school. The opportunity to report cases to FSR only applies if you are pursuing a course that is longer than 15 days. Such a report must have been received by FSR no later than one year after you have left the school.  

What happens after a report? 

The Board of the school is responsible for operations at the school and decides which rules shall apply. FSR therefore refers to the folk high school’s own rules and conditions when we assess a case. FSR can never change the school’s decisions, although we do submit recommendations to the school. So far, most schools reported have followed the recommendation issued by FSR.   

Would you like to know FSR’s reasoning in various cases? Find out more at www.folkbildningsradet.se/fsr 

Procedures for Student Rights at Sankt Ignatios

The school has a student council. The student council consists of course participants from all courses at the school and has its own budget per academic year. Course participants also have the opportunity to make their voices heard during class councils and unit meetings. At the dormitories, meetings are held weekly or as needed. Course participants also have a representative on the school’s board and in decision-making bodies.

Complaints
The first point of contact is the teaching instructor. If necessary, the next step is to contact the head of the program. If the issue remains unresolved, the principal should be contacted, followed by the school’s board, and finally, the FSR for guidance.

Heads of Programs:

• Allmän kurs: Anna Krantz
• Byzantine Christian Studies: Serafim Smensgård
• Middle Eastern Christian Studies: Youhanna Habil
• Tewahedo Christian Studies: Afwerki Tesfa

Dean: Michael Hjälm
Chairman of the Board: Yusuf Aydin (The board can be contacted through its secretary, Hulya Genc)