Result of the policy group on education

The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland on education is:

That the education of children and young people be entirely free of charge, as well as university and further education provided by the public sector.
That school meals at primary and secondary school levels be free of charge.
That class division between schools and within them be prevented through measures for equality.
That the school promotes the well-being of students and staff by reducing competition within the school environment and ensuring smaller study groups.
That all schools offer the support that students need, regardless of waiting lists and diagnoses.
That children and young people are guaranteed free leisure activities and that these are moved into school premises where possible and recognized for educational value.
That immigrants of all ages are guaranteed Icelandic language instruction, and immigrant children also receive mother tongue instruction.
That children on the run are guaranteed education on par with other children.
That the democratic awareness of students and staff at all school levels is activated.
That the work of teachers is valued appropriately and made desirable.
That all connections between education and the labor market are in cooperation with trade unions.
That vocational, technical, and art education be increased at all school levels.
That a scholarship system be introduced.
That an active research, scientific, and academic environment is ensured in Iceland.

Further reading:

The school system shall be operated by the public sector, and sufficient funding shall be ensured for all publicly run educational institutions. All appropriations shall be based on actual needs derived from professional needs analysis. A free primary school includes, among other things, teaching materials, nutritious food, after-school care, as well as trips and entertainment, free of charge for parents of schoolchildren. The school shall also open its facilities and premises to citizens free of charge. Secondary school shall also be free of charge and offer students a simple breakfast and lunch free of charge. Publicly run universities shall also be operated free of charge for students, and other universities or specialized schools shall exercise moderation in collecting fees.

The school shall be classless, and it must be ensured that those with fewer financial means have the same opportunities as others at all school levels. Furthermore, all segregation that could lead to marginalization shall be combated, such as the segregation of poor and rich, people of different origins, on the basis of disability, age, or gender. It is also important to reduce the disparity in opportunities for those living in rural areas to pursue, for example, vocational and practical training that is only taught in the capital region, by providing dormitories or study camps. Furthermore, adult individuals who have not completed secondary education on time shall also be guaranteed schooling, and educational resources for this group shall be increased.

Smaller groups are a prerequisite for individualized curricula. More emphasis needs to be placed on empathy, well-being, and cooperation, and less on competition. Standardized tests shall be made optional in primary schools. Furthermore, it is necessary to limit homework. It is important that a trauma team is always available and responds firmly when traumas occur in families or among teachers. Likewise, psychologists must be working within all schools, and students must be able to consult them directly.

All children have the right to support and assistance in school, regardless of whether they are on a waiting list for diagnosis or not. It is necessary that all support and supplementary teaching be provided by the schools so that parents do not have to take their children to and from professionals during school/work hours.

Immigrant children shall have the right to Icelandic language instruction as well as mother tongue instruction, and people of foreign origin past compulsory school age shall also have the right to Icelandic language instruction at all educational levels. Furthermore, immigrant children and young people shall receive support at all school levels, especially at the secondary school level. Interpreter services must also be guaranteed by the public sector.

Children on the run shall have the right to education in the same way as other children in the country, and they shall be provided with adequate conditions to pursue studies in a regular neighborhood school so that they can form a normal social network.

The democratization of the school system is important, not least to accustom children to democracy and foster independent thinking. It is worthwhile to allow students to have more say in their studies, and mutual respect shall be a guiding principle in all school activities. The selection of school administrators must also be a democratic process that works against political appointments and corruption.

Teacher education is extremely important as they perform one of the most responsible jobs in society. Therefore, their education must be strongly supported. Continuing education needs to be a normal part of the job, and teachers need time to pursue it. The number of study leaves needs to be increased and granted earlier in the career than is currently done. Furthermore, normal recruitment of university lecturers must be ensured, and the salaries and status of part-time lecturers and doctoral students must be improved. Curriculum development and translation of teaching materials shall be taken seriously by school authorities and compensated.

The links between education and the labor market shall be strengthened in close cooperation with trade unions and ASÍ. Special attention shall be paid to vocational trades, and subjects shall not be discriminated against based on cost. It is important to increase innovation in school activities; increase art and vocational education already at the primary school level and place greater emphasis on vocational and practical subjects at the secondary school level. Furthermore, folk high schools shall become a viable option. Prior learning assessment shall be implemented so that people with experience or education from abroad can have their knowledge recognized.

Attention must be paid to the causes of school dropout, and secondary school students shall be offered shorter programs that lead to a degree, but they can also pursue longer studies that lead to a matriculation examination. Furthermore, it is important that all school levels work better together; that learning through play continues into primary school, and that increased emphasis is placed on logical thinking, critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and well-being. The shortening of secondary school shall be reviewed with regard to student well-being and stress.

The Icelandic Student Loan Fund (LÍN) shall adopt a scholarship system, and the system shall be made more humane so that everyone has the opportunity to educate themselves, whether at vocational, technical, university, or specialized school levels. The old student loan system needs to be reviewed with correction in mind, and people should be enabled to repay their loans with a reasonable payment burden and have them written off when applicable.

It is important to increasingly support research and the establishment of new study programs, especially in undergraduate university studies, to prepare us for the future. Furthermore, diverse postgraduate studies shall be offered at the university level, and it shall be ensured that new knowledge reaches the country.

Independent research funds must be ensured, and it must be prevented that dividends can be paid from them. The hiring process for university lecturers shall be reviewed, and sufficient funding for temporary academic staff shall be ensured. Furthermore, grants for research and doctoral projects shall be increased and strengthened.