The Swedish Government is set to effectively ban homeschooling. In a draft of its new legislation on the issue, it says that “there is no need for the law to offer the possibility of homeschooling because of religious or philosophical reasons in the family.”

It is arguing that because a child’s education should be “comprehensive and objective” it must be “designed so that all pupils can participate, regardless of what religious or philosophical” views the parents might hold.

The draft legislation, unveiled in June, would impose severe restrictions on parents wishing to homeschool their children.

Citing the European Convention on Human Rights, the law only allows parents to homeschool if “extraordinary circumstances” exist. The programme being used must pass muster with State officials, and authorities will inspect and monitor home schooling families. Permission to homeschool must be renewed each year.

The final law will be presented to Parliament during the spring of 2010 and if passed, will take effect in 2011.

The group representing Swedish homeschoolers has said that the legislation represents “a return to darkness”. The group noted the irony that the law, ostensibly based on the European Convention on Human Rights, proposes to outlaw homeschooling on religious or philosophical grounds.

Article 9 of the Convention guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to manifest a religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

The Swedish Government, the group says, “is making homeschooling illegal, for religious or philosophical reasons, thus showing off its worst totalitarian socialist roots”. They are calling for international support “to show that Sweden, as a member of the international democratic community, cannot take such a position”.

“As Sweden is often seen as the great social utopia of the world, it is important for Swedish homeschoolers to win this battle. Any and all help is appreciated immeasurably.”