Education in Iceland
Encyclopedia
The system of education in Iceland is divided in four levels: playschool, compulsory, upper secondary and higher, and is similar to that of other Nordic countries
. Education is mandatory for children aged 6–16. Most institutions are funded by the state; there are very few private school
s in the country. Iceland is a country with gymnasia
.
:
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has the jurisdiction of educational responsibility. Traditionally, education in Iceland
has been run in the public sector
; there is a small, although growing, number of private education institutions in the country. Over the years, the educational system has been decentralised
, and responsibility for primary
and lower secondary
schools lies with the local authorities. The state runs upper secondary schools
and higher education
institutions.
The Ministry issues the National Curriculum Guidelines
. The National Centre for Educational Materials
publishes educational materials for education institutions, and issues them free of charge. The Educational Testing Institute is the country’s sole examination board
; responsible for issuing and grading national assessments.
There are 192 institutions catering for compulsory education, 42 schools for upper secondary education and 9 higher education institutions.
The oldest gymnasiums
in the country are Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
and Verzlunarskóli Íslands. Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
traces its origin to 1056, when a school was established in Skálholt
. The school was moved to Reykjavík
in 1786, but poor housing conditions forced it to move again in 1805 to Bessastaðir
near Reykjavík. In 1846 the school was moved to its current location, and a new building was erected for it in Reykjavík.
The University of Iceland
was the first higher education institution in the country, and was established on 17 June 1911, uniting three former Icelandic schools: Prestaskólinn, Læknaskólinn and Lagaskólinn, which taught theology
, medicine
and law
, respectively. The university originally had only faculties
for these three fields, in addition to a faculty of humanities
. The first rector
of the university was Björn M. Ólsen, a professor in the faculty of humanities.
The Icelandic education system comprises four levels: playschool, compulsory, upper secondary and higher.
or leikskóli, is non-compulsory education for those under the age of six, and is the first step in the education system. The current legislation
concerning playschools was passed in 2007. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
is responsible for the policies and methods that playschools must use, and they issue the National Curriculum Guidelines. They are also responsible for ensuring that the curriculum is suitable so as to make the transition into compulsory education
as easy as possible. However, the Ministry does not implement the regulations and guidelines; instead this is the responsibility of the local authority, who fund and administer playschools. In addition, the local authority employs representatives who supervise the playschools’ operation.
Parents must pay for their children to attend playschools. Around 30% of the costs of running the institutions are covered by these fees. Private playschools’ fees can be around 10–20% higher than those of public institutions. Almost all private schools receive some municipal funding.
The buildings are often purpose-built on a site where around 30-40m² of playing space is available for each child in the playground
. Around 6 m² per child is allocated indoors. The institutions are intended to be mixed sex. Playschools are intended for children under the age of six; the youngest children to attend are at least two years old. Children of single parent
s and student
s are given priority, and in some cases children with a handicap
are also given priority. In the majority of cases, the children are divided into age groups, but in some smaller communities these may be grouped together.
Children attend playschool for a minimum of four and a maximum of nine hours per day.
Compulsory education or grunnskóli (lit. “basic school”), is the period of education which is compulsory for all. The legislation concerning compulsory education was passed in 2007, and in 1996 municipalities took over the running of compulsory education. It comprises primary
and lower secondary education
, which often takes place at the same institution. The law states that education is mandatory for children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 16. The school year lasts nine months, and begins between August 21 and September 1, ending between May 31 and June 10. The minimum number of school days is 170, but after a new teachers’ wage contract, this will increase to 180. Lessons take place five days a week.
Responsibility lies with parents for making sure that their children attend and register at school. The law states that it is the responsibility of the municipality to give instruction and fund institutions (this includes teaching
, substitute teaching
, administration
and specialist services), and provide special education
if required. There are no entry requirements for pupil
s, and the acceptance rate is 100% at six years of age.
Pupils have the right to attend a school in the area in which they live. The state requires that the school integrates handicapped pupils into mainstream education
.
The state is responsible for assessing institutions to make sure that they are operating within the law and the National Curriculum Guidelines. They also produce educational materials, and implement educational law and regulations.
Compulsory education is divided into ten years
. Schools which have all ten years, year one to seven, and years eight to ten are common. Those schools which teach from years eight to ten often have a wider catchment area
. The size of institutions is widely varied. In the Reykjavík
urban area, schools can be up to 1200 pupils in size. In rural areas, schools can have fewer than 10 pupils, and around 50% of schools have fewer than 100 pupils. All compulsory education institutions are mixed sex. Many counselling services are available, including help with studies and specific subjects; psychological
counselling is also available.
Each school must follow the National Curriculum Guidelines, but exceptions are made for schools with special characteristics. The school is required to create a school working plan and an annual calendar, organise teaching and pupil assessment and to provide extracurricular activities. The number of lessons for each year is as follows:
Nowadays, the National Curriculum Guidelines have provisions for those learning Icelandic whose mother tongue is a foreign language and deaf and hearing-impaired pupils. Pupils are expected to keep up with the pace of teaching; however those students who are struggling receive remedial teaching without being moved from most of their classes. An emphasis is made on providing a variety of teaching methods.
, assessment and evaluation of pupils is conducted internally, and is not standardised between different institutions. Pupils are given regular reports to year their progress; however the way in which this is done varies between schools. For example, a numerical year
could be given, or an oral and written assessment may be given.
Their principal purpose is to help ease the transition into upper secondary education
and help the pupil to choose a course of study. Pupils are awarded a certificate with their marks at the end of the compulsory schooling period.
In addition to pupil assessment, the law requires that schools implement some form of self-evaluation on the quality of their services and to make sure that institutions are operating inside the law and within guidelines. Schools are assessed externally every five years by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
in other countries, from years one to seven, the same teacher
teaches the pupils all of their subjects. From year eight upwards, pupils receive teaching from a number of different teachers (this marks the boundary between primary education and lower secondary education). Groups may be mixed around year by year.
Primary school teachers are general teachers who have received their training at either the University of Iceland
or the University of Akureyri
. The typical course lasts three years. Lower secondary teachers may also be trained at the University of Iceland
. A BA
or BS
degree is required in this situation. The courses are designed to be both academic and practical. Municipalities are responsible for the employment of teachers. Optional in-service teacher training courses are offered on an annual basis.
Upper secondary education or framhaldsskóli (lit. “continued school”), follows lower secondary education
. These schools are also known as gymnasia
in English. It is not compulsory, but everyone who has had their compulsory education
has the right to upper secondary education. The typical course length is four years, for students aged between 16 and 20. The length of the course can vary, especially in vocational courses
. This stage of education is governed by the Upper Secondary School Act of 2007. Like all other schools in Iceland
, upper secondary schools are mixed sex.
Students do not have to pay tuition fees, but they must pay an enrollment fee and are expected to buy their own textbook
s. Students who enroll in vocational courses pay a portion of the costs of the materials that they use.
All students have the right to enter upper secondary education when they turn sixteen. Around 97% of students leaving lower secondary education enter into upper secondary education; however there is a notable drop-out rate. There are specific entry requirements for different courses, but as all students have the right to this sort of education, a general program of study is available for those students who may fail to meet requirements. Some schools enjoy more prestige and popularity than others, especially in Reykjavík, and those may need to turn away hundreds of students every year.
The school year lasts for nine months, and is divided into two term
s: autumn and spring. Students attend around 32–40 lessons a week, each lasting 40–80 minutes. This can vary drastically between institutions.
There are around forty gymnasia in the country; sizes vary as much as the primary schools. The largest gymnasia have over 3,000 students—the smallest, less than fifty. The gymnasia can be divided thus:
The law requires that there are academic, vocational, artistic and general programmes of study, all of which lead to higher education
. Any gymnasium can therefore offer the matriculation examination, called the Stúdentspróf
, providing it complies with Ministry of Education regulations.
The gymnasia have forms which operate on a unit-credit system, that is to say a term is divided into course units, each of which is worth a certain number of credits. Students are consequently able to regulate the speed of their education based on their personal circumstances. This system is used in most upper secondary institutions in Iceland.
Many institutions also offer evening classes targeted at adults, some of which are on-a-par with their daytime courses. Distance learning is also offered at most schools.
Counselling services are also offered, like those of the compulsory education institutions.
, of which at least two years must have been devoted to a major subject, and at least one to teaching methodology and skills. Vocational teachers must be qualified in their particular discipline, or must be a master craftsman
in their trade, and have at least two years of experience.
In-service training courses are also offered. Teachers are paid by the state but hired by the individual school.
, or háskóli (lit. “high school”). There are eight such institutions in the country, most of which are run by the state. The first institution, the University of Iceland
, opened in 1911, and is still the principal higher education institution in the country. In recent years, however, more universities have opened across the country, widening the range of choices available. Legislation concerning higher education institutions was passed in 1997, which includes a definition of the term háskóli (to include universities which do not carry out research). There is also separate legislation in place for each public institution, defining their role in research
and general organisation. Private and public universities both receive funding from the state.
The administration of each university is divided into the Senate
, the rector
, faculty
meetings, faculty councils and dean
s (however, some universities are not divided into faculties). The Senate ultimately makes decisions on the running and organisation of the institution, and formulates policy. The state
will formulate a contract with the university, defining the institution’s objectives and the amount of funding that the state will give to the institution.
Despite the growing number of higher education institutions in the country, many students decide to pursue their university education abroad (around 16%, mostly in postgraduate studies).
The academic year lasts from September to May, and is divided into two terms: autumn and spring.
exam to get into university;Iceland 99..104 however those with sufficient work experience
may be admitted in some cases. Vocational and technical courses have looser requirements, only stating that the applicant have some sort of experience in their chosen field of study. Institutions are free to set their own admission criteria. Registration for potential students takes place from May to June each year; however the application deadline for foreign students is earlier: March 15.
; the exact amount depends on their financial and personal situation. The student must begin to repay this money two years after commencing their study programme. In addition to Icelandic students, students from the European Union
or EEA
-EFTA
member states are also eligible to apply for loans, if they have been working in their trade in the country for at least one year.
Annually there are a limited number of scholarship
s available for foreign students to study the Icelandic language
and literature
at the University of Iceland, offered by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Grant
s are available for post-graduates in research universities, which are awarded on the basis of joint submission from student and professor, and approval from the respective faculty.
services for all students with disabilities.
Before the changes in 1974, only selected groups of students with disabilities, such as Deaf and blind
students, received any formal special education, although students with mild disabilities had been accommodated at rural schools since 1907. With the changes in the law, a special school was opened in Reykjavik for students with mental retardation
, and similar programs followed. Students with physical disabilities were mainstreamed into regular classrooms. The Iceland University of Education
developed programs to train teachers and other specialists to provide appropriate services.
Reflecting Icelandic cultural values of tolerance, equity, and celebrating differences rather than individualism
, current government policy emphasizes inclusion
, or "one school for all", although segregated classrooms and schools are still permitted and supported.
The Education Law on Upper Secondary Education of 1992 entitles students to attend schools and university, and to receive appropriate supports for doing so, but does not exempt them from the normal entrance requirements, such as demonstrating a given level of reading or mathematics achievement. Consequently, after reaching the end of compulsory school age, it is difficult for students with significant cognitive impairments to find further education.
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
. Education is mandatory for children aged 6–16. Most institutions are funded by the state; there are very few private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
s in the country. Iceland is a country with gymnasia
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
.
Background
According to the Ministry of Education, Science and CultureMinistry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)
The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is a cabinet-level ministry divided into three departments: the Department of Education, the Department of Science and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Since 1 February 2009, the minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir of the Left-Green Movement....
:
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has the jurisdiction of educational responsibility. Traditionally, education in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
has been run in the public sector
Public sector
The public sector, sometimes referred to as the state sector, is a part of the state that deals with either the production, delivery and allocation of goods and services by and for the government or its citizens, whether national, regional or local/municipal.Examples of public sector activity range...
; there is a small, although growing, number of private education institutions in the country. Over the years, the educational system has been decentralised
Décentralisation
Décentralisation is a french word for both a policy concept in French politics from 1968-1990, and a term employed to describe the results of observations of the evolution of spatial economic and institutional organization of France....
, and responsibility for primary
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and lower secondary
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
schools lies with the local authorities. The state runs upper secondary schools
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
and higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
institutions.
The Ministry issues the National Curriculum Guidelines
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
. The National Centre for Educational Materials
The National Centre for Educational Materials
The National Centre for Educational Materials is the main official institute providing educational material to students of primary and upper secondary schools in Iceland.- External links :* *...
publishes educational materials for education institutions, and issues them free of charge. The Educational Testing Institute is the country’s sole examination board
Examination board
An examination board is an organisation that sets examinations and is responsible for marking them and distributing results. Examination boards have the power to award qualifications, such as SAT scores, to students...
; responsible for issuing and grading national assessments.
There are 192 institutions catering for compulsory education, 42 schools for upper secondary education and 9 higher education institutions.
History
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in the country are Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík is the oldest gymnasium in Reykjavík, Iceland....
and Verzlunarskóli Íslands. Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík is the oldest gymnasium in Reykjavík, Iceland....
traces its origin to 1056, when a school was established in Skálholt
Skálholt
Skálholt is an historical site situated in the south of Iceland at the river Hvítá.-History:Skálholt was, through eight centuries, one of the most important places in Iceland. From 1056 until 1785, it was one of Iceland's two episcopal sees, along with Hólar, making it a cultural and political...
. The school was moved to Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
in 1786, but poor housing conditions forced it to move again in 1805 to Bessastaðir
Bessastaðir
Bessastaðir is today the official residence of the President of Iceland and is situated on Álftanes, not far from the capital city, Reykjavík.- History :...
near Reykjavík. In 1846 the school was moved to its current location, and a new building was erected for it in Reykjavík.
The University of Iceland
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
was the first higher education institution in the country, and was established on 17 June 1911, uniting three former Icelandic schools: Prestaskólinn, Læknaskólinn and Lagaskólinn, which taught theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, respectively. The university originally had only faculties
Faculty (university)
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas...
for these three fields, in addition to a faculty of humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
. The first rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the university was Björn M. Ólsen, a professor in the faculty of humanities.
Levels
Playschool
PlayschoolNursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
or leikskóli, is non-compulsory education for those under the age of six, and is the first step in the education system. The current legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
concerning playschools was passed in 2007. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)
The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is a cabinet-level ministry divided into three departments: the Department of Education, the Department of Science and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Since 1 February 2009, the minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir of the Left-Green Movement....
is responsible for the policies and methods that playschools must use, and they issue the National Curriculum Guidelines. They are also responsible for ensuring that the curriculum is suitable so as to make the transition into compulsory education
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
as easy as possible. However, the Ministry does not implement the regulations and guidelines; instead this is the responsibility of the local authority, who fund and administer playschools. In addition, the local authority employs representatives who supervise the playschools’ operation.
Parents must pay for their children to attend playschools. Around 30% of the costs of running the institutions are covered by these fees. Private playschools’ fees can be around 10–20% higher than those of public institutions. Almost all private schools receive some municipal funding.
The buildings are often purpose-built on a site where around 30-40m² of playing space is available for each child in the playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
. Around 6 m² per child is allocated indoors. The institutions are intended to be mixed sex. Playschools are intended for children under the age of six; the youngest children to attend are at least two years old. Children of single parent
Single parent
Single parent is a term that is mostly used to suggest that one parent has most of the day to day responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would categorize them as the dominant caregiver...
s and student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s are given priority, and in some cases children with a handicap
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
are also given priority. In the majority of cases, the children are divided into age groups, but in some smaller communities these may be grouped together.
Children attend playschool for a minimum of four and a maximum of nine hours per day.
Compulsory
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and lower secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
, which often takes place at the same institution. The law states that education is mandatory for children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 16. The school year lasts nine months, and begins between August 21 and September 1, ending between May 31 and June 10. The minimum number of school days is 170, but after a new teachers’ wage contract, this will increase to 180. Lessons take place five days a week.
Responsibility lies with parents for making sure that their children attend and register at school. The law states that it is the responsibility of the municipality to give instruction and fund institutions (this includes teaching
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, substitute teaching
Substitute teacher
A substitute teacher is a person who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable; e.g., because of illness, personal leave, or other reasons. "Substitute teacher" is the most commonly used phrase in the United States, Canada and Ireland, while supply teacher is the most commonly...
, administration
Academic administration
An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities...
and specialist services), and provide special education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
if required. There are no entry requirements for pupil
Pupil
The pupil is a hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to enter the retina. It appears black because most of the light entering the pupil is absorbed by the tissues inside the eye. In humans the pupil is round, but other species, such as some cats, have slit pupils. In...
s, and the acceptance rate is 100% at six years of age.
Pupils have the right to attend a school in the area in which they live. The state requires that the school integrates handicapped pupils into mainstream education
Mainstreaming in education
Mainstreaming in the context of education is a term that refers to the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes during specific time periods based on their skills. This means regular education classes are combined with special education classes...
.
The state is responsible for assessing institutions to make sure that they are operating within the law and the National Curriculum Guidelines. They also produce educational materials, and implement educational law and regulations.
Compulsory education is divided into ten years
Grade level
Often, people are educated through a series of educational stages, such as primary school and university. They vary around the world, and not every person will attend the same stages...
. Schools which have all ten years, year one to seven, and years eight to ten are common. Those schools which teach from years eight to ten often have a wider catchment area
Catchment area (human geography)
In human geography, a catchment area is the area and population from which a city or individual service attracts visitors or customers. For example, a school catchment area is the geographic area from which students are eligible to attend a local school...
. The size of institutions is widely varied. In the Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
urban area, schools can be up to 1200 pupils in size. In rural areas, schools can have fewer than 10 pupils, and around 50% of schools have fewer than 100 pupils. All compulsory education institutions are mixed sex. Many counselling services are available, including help with studies and specific subjects; psychological
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
counselling is also available.
Each school must follow the National Curriculum Guidelines, but exceptions are made for schools with special characteristics. The school is required to create a school working plan and an annual calendar, organise teaching and pupil assessment and to provide extracurricular activities. The number of lessons for each year is as follows:
| Years | Age range | Lessons per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | 6–9 years | 30 |
| 5–7 | 10–12 years | 35 |
| 8–10 | 13–15 years | 37 |
Nowadays, the National Curriculum Guidelines have provisions for those learning Icelandic whose mother tongue is a foreign language and deaf and hearing-impaired pupils. Pupils are expected to keep up with the pace of teaching; however those students who are struggling receive remedial teaching without being moved from most of their classes. An emphasis is made on providing a variety of teaching methods.
Assessment
In IcelandIceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, assessment and evaluation of pupils is conducted internally, and is not standardised between different institutions. Pupils are given regular reports to year their progress; however the way in which this is done varies between schools. For example, a numerical year
Grade (education)
Grades are standardized measurements of varying levels of comprehension within a subject area. Grades can be assigned in letters , as a range , as a number out of a possible total , as descriptors , in percentages, or, as is common in some post-secondary...
could be given, or an oral and written assessment may be given.
Their principal purpose is to help ease the transition into upper secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
and help the pupil to choose a course of study. Pupils are awarded a certificate with their marks at the end of the compulsory schooling period.
In addition to pupil assessment, the law requires that schools implement some form of self-evaluation on the quality of their services and to make sure that institutions are operating inside the law and within guidelines. Schools are assessed externally every five years by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Teachers
Similar to primary educationPrimary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
in other countries, from years one to seven, the same teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
teaches the pupils all of their subjects. From year eight upwards, pupils receive teaching from a number of different teachers (this marks the boundary between primary education and lower secondary education). Groups may be mixed around year by year.
Primary school teachers are general teachers who have received their training at either the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
or the University of Akureyri
University of Akureyri
The University of Akureyri is a young institution, founded on September 5, 1987 in the city of Akureyri in the north part of Iceland. It has grown since then, especially in the last few years as more facilities have been established...
. The typical course lasts three years. Lower secondary teachers may also be trained at the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
. A BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
or BS
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree is required in this situation. The courses are designed to be both academic and practical. Municipalities are responsible for the employment of teachers. Optional in-service teacher training courses are offered on an annual basis.
Upper secondary
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
. These schools are also known as gymnasia
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in English. It is not compulsory, but everyone who has had their compulsory education
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
has the right to upper secondary education. The typical course length is four years, for students aged between 16 and 20. The length of the course can vary, especially in vocational courses
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
. This stage of education is governed by the Upper Secondary School Act of 2007. Like all other schools in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, upper secondary schools are mixed sex.
Students do not have to pay tuition fees, but they must pay an enrollment fee and are expected to buy their own textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
s. Students who enroll in vocational courses pay a portion of the costs of the materials that they use.
All students have the right to enter upper secondary education when they turn sixteen. Around 97% of students leaving lower secondary education enter into upper secondary education; however there is a notable drop-out rate. There are specific entry requirements for different courses, but as all students have the right to this sort of education, a general program of study is available for those students who may fail to meet requirements. Some schools enjoy more prestige and popularity than others, especially in Reykjavík, and those may need to turn away hundreds of students every year.
The school year lasts for nine months, and is divided into two term
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
s: autumn and spring. Students attend around 32–40 lessons a week, each lasting 40–80 minutes. This can vary drastically between institutions.
There are around forty gymnasia in the country; sizes vary as much as the primary schools. The largest gymnasia have over 3,000 students—the smallest, less than fifty. The gymnasia can be divided thus:
- grammar schoolGrammar schoolA grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
s—offering four-year long programmes of study, ending with matriculationMatriculationMatriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
exams; - industrial-vocational schoolsVocational schoolA vocational school , providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job...
—theoretical and practical courses in various trades; - comprehensive schoolComprehensive schoolA comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
s—offering a mixture of courses, has qualities of both a grammar school and an industrial-vocational institution, in addition to specialised vocational programmes; - specialised vocational schoolsVocational schoolA vocational school , providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job...
—programmes of study for specific trades and careers.
The law requires that there are academic, vocational, artistic and general programmes of study, all of which lead to higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. Any gymnasium can therefore offer the matriculation examination, called the Stúdentspróf
Stúdentspróf
The Stúdentspróf is the university entrance examination in Iceland, which takes place towards the end of the last term in gymnasium. Studies leading to the Stúdentspróf generally take three to four years to complete, but in some cases a diploma containing fewer years of study can be regarded as a...
, providing it complies with Ministry of Education regulations.
The gymnasia have forms which operate on a unit-credit system, that is to say a term is divided into course units, each of which is worth a certain number of credits. Students are consequently able to regulate the speed of their education based on their personal circumstances. This system is used in most upper secondary institutions in Iceland.
Many institutions also offer evening classes targeted at adults, some of which are on-a-par with their daytime courses. Distance learning is also offered at most schools.
Counselling services are also offered, like those of the compulsory education institutions.
Assessment
Examinations are taken at the end of every term as opposed to at the end of the year. Final years are often based on continuous assessments and assignments; however some courses do have final exams. There were no nationally co-ordinated exams in upper secondary education until school year 2003–4, when certain subjects were introduced. Institutions are also required to self-assess, like compulsory education institutions they are assessed externally every five years.Teachers
Upper secondary teachers are required to have completed four years at universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, of which at least two years must have been devoted to a major subject, and at least one to teaching methodology and skills. Vocational teachers must be qualified in their particular discipline, or must be a master craftsman
Master craftsman
A master craftsman or master tradesman was a member of a guild. In the European guild system, only masters were allowed to be members of the guild....
in their trade, and have at least two years of experience.
In-service training courses are also offered. Teachers are paid by the state but hired by the individual school.
Higher education
The final level is higher educationHigher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, or háskóli (lit. “high school”). There are eight such institutions in the country, most of which are run by the state. The first institution, the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
, opened in 1911, and is still the principal higher education institution in the country. In recent years, however, more universities have opened across the country, widening the range of choices available. Legislation concerning higher education institutions was passed in 1997, which includes a definition of the term háskóli (to include universities which do not carry out research). There is also separate legislation in place for each public institution, defining their role in research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
and general organisation. Private and public universities both receive funding from the state.
The administration of each university is divided into the Senate
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a legislature or parliament. There have been many such bodies in history, since senate means the assembly of the eldest and wiser members of the society and ruling class...
, the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
, faculty
Faculty (university)
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas...
meetings, faculty councils and dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
s (however, some universities are not divided into faculties). The Senate ultimately makes decisions on the running and organisation of the institution, and formulates policy. The state
State (polity)
A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
will formulate a contract with the university, defining the institution’s objectives and the amount of funding that the state will give to the institution.
Despite the growing number of higher education institutions in the country, many students decide to pursue their university education abroad (around 16%, mostly in postgraduate studies).
The academic year lasts from September to May, and is divided into two terms: autumn and spring.
Admission
Most undergraduates will have to pass some form of matriculationMatriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
exam to get into university;Iceland 99..104 however those with sufficient work experience
Work experience
Work experience is the experience that a person has been working, or worked in a specific field or occupation.- Volunteer work and internships :...
may be admitted in some cases. Vocational and technical courses have looser requirements, only stating that the applicant have some sort of experience in their chosen field of study. Institutions are free to set their own admission criteria. Registration for potential students takes place from May to June each year; however the application deadline for foreign students is earlier: March 15.
Student finance
In state-run institutions, students only need pay registration fees; there are no tuition fees. Private institutions, however, charge fees. All students are eligible to some financial support from the Icelandic Student Loan FundIcelandic Student Loan Fund
The Icelandic Student Loan Fund is a government-funded and government-run student loan fund for Icelandic citizens. It provides loans for living expenses of up to 7 years of university studies. Repayment of the loans is at below-market-rate interest, with a two year grace period upon completion of...
; the exact amount depends on their financial and personal situation. The student must begin to repay this money two years after commencing their study programme. In addition to Icelandic students, students from the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
or EEA
European Economic Area
The European Economic Area was established on 1 January 1994 following an agreement between the member states of the European Free Trade Association and the European Community, later the European Union . Specifically, it allows Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to participate in the EU's Internal...
-EFTA
EFTA
EFTA may refer to:* European Family Therapy Association, an NGO.* European Fair Trade Association, an association of eleven Fair Trade importers in nine European countries....
member states are also eligible to apply for loans, if they have been working in their trade in the country for at least one year.
Annually there are a limited number of scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s available for foreign students to study the Icelandic language
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
and literature
Icelandic literature
Icelandic literature refers to literature written in Iceland or by Icelandic people. It is best known for the sagas written in medieval times, starting in the 13th century. As Icelandic and Old Norse are almost the same, and because Icelandic works constitute most of Old Norse literature, Old Norse...
at the University of Iceland, offered by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Grant
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
s are available for post-graduates in research universities, which are awarded on the basis of joint submission from student and professor, and approval from the respective faculty.
Special education
The first national education law was the 1907 education law, and the first national curriculum was published in 1926. Although the curriculum was periodically revised, the overall education system was not significantly modernized until the Compulsory Education Act of 1974, which mandated special educationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services for all students with disabilities.
Before the changes in 1974, only selected groups of students with disabilities, such as Deaf and blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
students, received any formal special education, although students with mild disabilities had been accommodated at rural schools since 1907. With the changes in the law, a special school was opened in Reykjavik for students with mental retardation
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
, and similar programs followed. Students with physical disabilities were mainstreamed into regular classrooms. The Iceland University of Education
Iceland University of Education
Iceland University of Education was a normal university in Iceland. It merged with University of Iceland in July 2008 and is now called the School of Education. Enrolment was around 2300 students with more than half of them being distance learning students. The university offered B.A., B.Ed. and...
developed programs to train teachers and other specialists to provide appropriate services.
Reflecting Icelandic cultural values of tolerance, equity, and celebrating differences rather than individualism
Individualism
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that stresses "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance while opposing most external interference upon one's own...
, current government policy emphasizes inclusion
Inclusion (education)
Inclusion in education is an approach to educating students with special educational needs. Under the inclusion model, students with special needs spend most or all of their time with non-disabled students. Implementation of these practices varies...
, or "one school for all", although segregated classrooms and schools are still permitted and supported.
The Education Law on Upper Secondary Education of 1992 entitles students to attend schools and university, and to receive appropriate supports for doing so, but does not exempt them from the normal entrance requirements, such as demonstrating a given level of reading or mathematics achievement. Consequently, after reaching the end of compulsory school age, it is difficult for students with significant cognitive impairments to find further education.
See also
- List of schools in Iceland
- List of universities in Iceland
- List of business schools in the Nordic countries
- Ministry of Education, Science and CultureMinistry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is a cabinet-level ministry divided into three departments: the Department of Education, the Department of Science and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Since 1 February 2009, the minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir of the Left-Green Movement....
- University of IcelandUniversity of IcelandThe University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
External links
- Ministry of Education, Science and Culture – The department responsible for education
- Education in Iceland – A diagram of the Icelandic school system
- The Educational System In Iceland – A pamphlet from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture detailing the education system in Iceland Menntagátt – The Educational Gateway
- Namsgagnastofnun – The National Centre for Educational Materials