A Conversation with SEC Member Sigbrit Franke

Dr. Sigbrit Franke was born in a small countryside village in Sweden at a time when it was very unusual for girls from working class groups pursued higher education.

A teacher in primary school saw such talent in her that she prodded Dr. Franke’s father to allow her to further her studies.

He thankfully agreed and Dr. Franke decided to study to be a teacher, a profession that was more favored for girls at the time.

After teaching for a few years, she returned to college to pursue a degree in psychology. From then on, it was an upward drift as she served as a teacher trainer, lecturer, and professor and was later recruited to the post of researcher in education thus marking the starting point for her as a researcher.

Today, Dr. Franke serves as Chancellor at Sweden University and leads the country’s National Agency for Higher Education.

Q: How do you feel about being part of the Supreme Education Council?
A: I find it extremely stimulating and interesting. I have been involved in many boards and councils in many different countries in the past, but this was the most lively discussion and atmosphere I have experienced. I am very impressed by Her Highness, who chairs the SEC. She is extremely brilliant and warm. She knows everything in detail.

I am also impressed by the work that has been accomplished by the institutes after just a very short time.

Q: What do you think about the education reform in Qatar?
A: The reform is definitely going in the right direction otherwise I would not have accepted membership. In Sweden, we have been working for years to improve our education system.

It is important to encourage our children to learn and think competitively. We must help foster critical thinking and develop true problem solvers.

Q: What are the challenges facing this reform?
A: It is not just a question of reform, it’s an entire evolution of structure and thought. It is a matter of changing values. It is important to be aware that this reform will take time. You can’t just change the world in one day. I think there will be obstacles along the way, but this is a vision supported from the very top of the country and it will succeed.

Q: What is fundamental to the success of this reform?
A: When it comes to the changes in the schools, teachers play a vital role and they must be supported. Also, it is important that the Institutes and the council encourage the schools themselves to be critical and analyze what they are doing, what is working and what they could be doing better. It is important that they are open and reflective about their work. For example, at the National Agency for Higher Education in Sweden, we have been evaluated several times even by outsiders just to see how we can improve ourselves. There’s always room for improvement!

Q: What makes you passionate about education?
A: I have been very interested from the very start of my career in building capacity and opportunities for all students regardless of their class, gender and socio-economic position. Immigrants should have equal opportunities in education. I am also an evaluator and researcher who likes to figure out what is really happening in the schools. I am very interested in finding out what works and why.