Severe Snowstorm Forces Gothenburg Upper Secondary Schools to Suspend On-Site Classes

A major snowstorm that swept across western Sweden overnight severely disrupted transportation in Gothenburg, leading to widespread public transit outages throughout the city. Bus and tram services were largely halted during the morning, resulting in significant challenges for commuters and students alike.

In response to the extreme weather conditions, educational institutions in Gothenburg implemented emergency measures. Chalmers University of Technology opted to postpone all examinations scheduled for the day, affecting approximately 1,200 students. Morning exams were rescheduled to Friday, while afternoon sessions were moved to Saturday. The university stated that such cancellations are rare due to the typically mild winters in Gothenburg, and future examination schedules would be reassessed based on ongoing weather developments and the availability of public transport services.

Meanwhile, the city's primary schools are set to resume operations following the winter holidays, with school officials indicating no current plans to close. According to the primary school administration, classes are expected to proceed as normal, in accordance with compulsory education requirements, unless weather conditions worsen further. Preschool institutions also intend to remain open, provided that circumstances allow for safe operation.

However, a different approach has been taken by the leaders of Gothenburg's municipal upper secondary schools (gymnasieskolor). All in-person teaching has been suspended for the time being. This decision is intended to ensure the safety of both students and staff, given the difficulties in reaching school premises due to ongoing transit disruptions and hazardous travel conditions. The suspension applies to all students unless specific instructions are provided by school management for certain groups. Remote learning will be implemented until conditions improve and authorities deem it safe to resume on-site activities.

School authorities emphasize that these actions are temporary and closely tied to weather developments and the restoration of public transportation. The priority remains the wellbeing of students and staff while maintaining educational continuity wherever feasible.

The severe weather event has highlighted the vulnerability of city infrastructure to extreme winter conditions, prompting institutions to revise contingency plans and communication protocols. City officials and educational leaders continue to monitor the situation, ready to make further adjustments based on updated weather forecasts and transit information.