DC ASKIM
www.askim.goteborg.se
Plenty of scope has been provided for the modernization of schools in Askim through the extension of Hovåsskolan and the investment in computers and increased use of IT in teaching. It is expected that the School PC platform will be in operation by autumn 2003.
| ASKIM | ||
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| The first figure is for the district and the second for Göteborg in total during 2002, unless otherwise stated. | ||
| No. of inhabitants | 22,098 | (474,877) |
| Percentage of children 0–15 | 23.8 | (17.3) |
| Percentage of pensioners over 65 | 12.4 | (14.7) |
| Average income, KSEK (over 16) 2000 | 250.9 | (174.6) |
| Percentage of job applicants 18–64 | 1.9 | (4.1) |
| Percentage of people with higher education (20–64) 2001 | 51.0 | (38.9) |
| Percentage of gainfully employed (20–64) 2000 | 81.1 | (69.5) |
| Percentage on social security benefits | 1.8 | (9.5) |
| Social security benefits paid, SEK per inhabitant* | 349 | (2,128) |
| * Excl. introduction remuneration. | ||
It has been a very busy time for staff in the Bullerbyn and Junibacken departments since the new pre-school in Lindås was opened in March. The demand for pre-school places is greater than the supply in Askim. By the end of 2003 it is expected that a large new pre-school will be completed in Uggledal in south Askim.
An old temporary building at Sisjöskolan has been demolished and replaced with a permanent school building that is twice as large. At the topping-out ceremony in September a twelve-metre-long cake was consumed in as many minutes.
The modernization and extension of Hovåsskolan is continuing. Work is expected to be complete by the autumn term of 2003. The modernization includes dedicated classrooms, a study centre, group activity rooms and working areas for teachers, which will allow work at the school to be carried out in accordance with the current teaching plan.
Pupils of Skinteboskolan won a competition in which they were asked to suggest improvements that the whole school would benefit from. The jury decided to award a large sum of money to Skinteboskolan to refurbish the school playground and a small kitchen in the after-school centre.
A little later in spring, class 3 C from Skinteboskolan took part in a writing competition as part of the International Science Festival. One of the pupils in class 3 C wrote the winning report on a journey to the centre of the Earth. The prize was a day out at the Universeum science discovery centre for the whole class, including feeding the sharks and an overnight stay.
In September, class 6 C from Trollängsskolan went to visit their twin class at Gårdstensskolan. The pupils met each other in the classroom and ate lunch together. After lunch they had an opportunity to try canoeing in Vättlefjäll countryside park. It was a very successful day and everyone agreed that they should keep in touch.
The City catering service in Askim prepares large amounts of food each day for children, young people and pensioners. As part of a skills improvement programme the staff went on a study trip during their autumn holiday, and in spring there are plans to visit a vegetable school and make a study visit to a spice and herb nursery.
The activities of associations in Askim play an important part in life in the district. There is big demand for activities organised by the associations among both young and old. Children and young people are mostly involved in football, riding, scouts, gymnastics and badminton associations. There is also a regional history association, Friskis & Svettis fitness centre, school associations and pensioners’ associations.
Billdal Riding Club has a long waiting list, mostly of girls, who want to start riding. The old riding ring is inadequate and the club members have put a great deal of work into building a completely new ring, which will open in spring 2003. This will allow the club to offer many more people the chance to finally start riding with others.
The Friskis & Svettis fitness centre makes a big contribution to public health and enjoyment in Askim. Plans for dedicated premises in Uggledal have now reached the final phase. The new centre will allow the company to extend its current range of activities and cater for more people of all ages, from young people to pensioners.
At the end of summer Askim pensioners’ association (Askimsseniorerna) organised the National Bridge Championships for pensioners, and Göteborg Golf Club, which is based in Hovås, celebrated its centenary year.
The annual Askim Day was even bigger in 2002. The award ceremony for Askim’s Environment Prize was a highlight of the day at Askims Torget. The prize went to the community of Östra Sisjön, which has successfully made the transition from conventional waste collection to sorting waste at source to assist recycling.
Many other fine environmental contributions were made in Askim during the year. In February the Green Flag was raised over Småtrollen pre-school. The Green Flag is a symbol of Småtrollen’s commitment to concrete environmental improvements in its day-to-day activities with the children.
Home help staff in Billdal drive many kilometres a day around south Askim to visit their clients. They recently attended an Eco Driving course to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and petrol consumption. As part of continuing environmental efforts the home help service also aims to replace vehicles with ones that run on alternative fuels.
Work is continuing in care of the elderly to help older people to continue living in their own homes as long as possible. The home help service provided for care of the elderly is supplemented by various forms of voluntary work. Relatives who look after family members receive help and support, and volunteers assist through the “Friend to Friend” association. Over the past year “Friend to Friend” has attracted many new members, and the association now organises sit-down exercise sessions followed by lunchtime soup, coffee sessions at Röda Huset, aquatic exercise for the over-eighties, pub evenings with entertainment, sing-alongs and parties.
Once a week the care of the elderly caretaker gives elderly residents a lift to the shops. They are met there by volunteers who help them do their shopping, pay for their goods and carry their shopping for them.
The arts and music school is extending its work in Askim to include several exciting activities. These include offering pupils the chance to play in class orchestras, and in some schools pupils can try combining dance and music. Artists are invited in for a series of visits to inspire pupils to experiment with new forms of expression, such as film and ceramics.
Askim is recognised as a good place to live, and many families with children are keen to move here. Families with children not only move into newly built housing, but also often move between existing housing. Because the demand for pre-school places is greater than the supply, there are plans to build new pre-schools in south Askim.
Planning work for new housing is a continuous process. Most of the new housing is planned for south Askim. The general plan includes areas under consideration for house building east of the Lindåsmotet junction. The City has recently purchased a large plot of land in this area that was originally the site of a fireworks factory.
Several general studies and infrastructure studies will be carried out over the next few years in order to ensure that housing is developed in parallel with services and transport.