Katharina Lange

Sweden is investing more than $110 million to bring printed textbooks back into classrooms. After years of pushing digital learning, the Swedish government is reducing screen use in schools and renewing its focus on physical books. Over the past decade, many schools replaced textbooks with laptops and tablets, moving lessons, homework, grading, and parent communication almost entirely online. During this period, student performance declined. Results from international assessments such as the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment showed drops in reading, math, and science, prompting officials to reconsider the role of screens in learning. Research indicates that reading on digital displays can demand more mental effort than reading on paper, especially for younger students. Screens also introduce more distractions, and studies have linked heavy digital use to reduced comprehension and memory retention. In response, Sweden allocated €60 million in 2023 to restore printed textbooks, with another €44 million planned through 2025. The aim is to ensure every student has a physical textbook for each subject. Officials stress that technology isn’t being removed from schools, but repositioned as a support tool rather than the default. Printed books are now prioritized for core learning, particularly reading. While Sweden remains highly tech-advanced, this policy shift reflects a growing global debate: whether more technology automatically leads to better education.