Övertorneå in Northern Sweden has the country's best schools

The city of Övertorneå in Northern Sweden is the country's best school municipality, according to the Swedish Teachers' Association, Swedish SVT reports.

In its ranking, the Swedish Teachers' Association highlights several factors that make the school in Tornedalen in northern Sweden successful.

"What makes Övertorneå come out on top is that they realized how important the school is. That you have to invest in your teachers and in your students. There has also been a long-term political perspective in how the school in Övertorneå is viewed", says Johanna Jaara Åstrand, president of the Teachers' Association, when she visits Gränsälvsgymnasiet.

Övertorneå has a high teacher density and also a high proportion of qualified teachers, SVT writes.

"The politicians put a lot of resources into the school in Övertorneå. People think the school is important", says acting head of school in Övertorneå, Katarina Lindberg.

The investments seem to be paying off, as Övertorneå stands out with a high proportion of pupils who pass and high grades in class nine according to the municipal ranking.

"But we are a little worried that many teachers will retire in a few years. That is why we work actively to try to get municipal residents to train as teachers as well", adds Lindberg.