Approaching Policies for Handling Social Inequality in Nordic Education

Abstract

One of the main features of the Nordic Welfare Model is the strong emphasis on social equality with ambitious public welfare arrangements, including family policies, public health and the educational system. Despite of this, the educational system is still struggling to meet the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable children. The Nordic countries are associated with a high degree of public trust in the state as educational and welfare provider, but under increased pressure internally and externally. The aim of the paper is to highlight tensions and contradictions in national policy to promote social inequality for children in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The analysis is based on national policy documents, organizational analysis, and is theoretically informed by neo institutional theory.