Education

Policy accepted May 19, 2019

That the education of children and young people be completely free of charge, as well as higher and postgraduate education provided by the public sector.

To prevent class division between and within schools through measures for equality.

That all schools offer the support that students need regardless of waiting lists and diagnoses.

That school meals at primary and secondary school level are free of charge.

That the school promotes the well-being of students and staff by reducing competition within the school environment and ensuring smaller groups in studies.

That children and young people are guaranteed free leisure activities and that these are moved into school premises where possible and credited towards their studies.

That refugee children are guaranteed education on an equal footing with other children.

That the work of teachers is valued appropriately and made desirable.

That immigrants of all ages are guaranteed Icelandic language instruction, and immigrant children are also guaranteed mother tongue instruction.

That the democratic awareness of students and staff at all school levels is activated.

To increase vocational, technical, and art education at all school levels.

To ensure an effective research, science, and academic environment in Iceland.

That a scholarship system be adopted.

That all connections between education and the labor market are in cooperation with trade unions.

Additional content

The school system shall be run by the public sector, and sufficient funding shall be ensured for all publicly operated educational institutions. All appropriations shall be based on actual needs derived from professional needs analysis. Free primary school includes, among other things, study 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 operated universities shall also be run 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 educational levels. Furthermore, all discrimination that could lead to marginalization, such as the segregation of the poor and the rich, people of different origins, on the basis of disability, age, or gender, shall be combated. 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 exclusively taught in the capital region, by providing dormitories or student apartments. Furthermore, school enrollment and increased educational resources shall be ensured for adults who have not completed secondary education on time.

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 employed within all schools, and students must be able to seek their help 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 transport their children to and from specialists 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 youth shall receive support at all educational levels, especially at the secondary school level. Interpreter services must also be ensured by the public sector.

Refugee children 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 education in a regular neighborhood school so that a normal social network can form around them.

The democratization of the school system is important, not least to accustom children to democracy and foster independent thought. 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 their careers than is currently the case. Furthermore, normal recruitment of university lecturers must be ensured, and the salaries and status of part-time lecturers improved. Curriculum development and translation of study materials shall be taken seriously by school authorities and compensated.

The connection 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 arts and crafts 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 be a realistic 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 the option of taking 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 educational 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 students' well-being and and stress.

The Icelandic Student Loan Fund (LÍN) shall adopt a grant system, and the system shall be made more humane, where 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 at the undergraduate university level, 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.