Education in Iceland

The education system in Iceland is located in several parts and at four different levels and thus comparable to that of other Western countries.

The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Icelandic Menntamálaráðuneyti ) is responsible for schools, colleges and the curriculum design. The different types of schools and universities are encouraged to working in a network.

In most Icelandic schools are public schools, there are relatively few private schools.

History of the education system

The schools of the Middle Ages were, as in other countries in monasteries, parish famous courtyards and episcopal sees as Hólar Skálholt, Oddi, Haukadalur, Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

The oldest documented school's foundation is linked with that of the bishopric in Skálholt in the year 1056. This is the oldest high school in Iceland. It was relocated in 1786 due to frequent earthquakes to Reykjavík, then again in 1805 after Bessastaðir. Since 1846 the school is located in the same place in the center of Reykjavík and bares the name Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík.

The oldest university in the country is the University of Iceland ( Háskóli Íslands ), established in 1911. At its inception three high schools were combined, Prestaskólinn, Læknaskólinn and Lagaskólinn, each of the classical disciplines taught theology, medicine and law. As a fourth faculty was added initially in the humanities. The first rector was Björn Magnússon Olsen, professor of philology.

Until the 20th century it was common practice in the country, that the children the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic were taught by their parents. In winter, the children were taught on a larger farm together of teachers in less practical subjects such as biology, geography and history.

School system

Compulsory school attendance

Compulsory education consists of 6 years (actually, from the age of 5 ) until the age of 16 years ( completion of the 10th grade ). However, exceptions are possible, both prior and subsequent enrollment at the request of parents, as well as an earlier entry into working life after the 9th grade, although the 10th grade must be made up, possibly taking into account the professional experience.

Types of schools

Leikskóli

The three separate areas of Germany in nursery, kindergarten and preschool are generally located under one roof as leikskóli (plural leikskólar ).

According to the laws in Iceland, these schools are children below school age offen.Für it is a framework curriculum (Icelandic aðalnámskrá ), but the individual can fill the school with detailed content ..

Grunnskóli

All children from 6 to begun 16 years of age are required to complete the Grunnskóli. This is a comprehensive school, which covers grades 1 to 10.

For this type of school, there is a mandatory curriculum (Icelandic námskrá ).

Framhaldsskóli

After Grunnskóli the possible training paths branch.

The high school in Iceland called framhaldsskóli. To (Icelandic stúdentspróf ) to complete the general high school, you have to visit a Menntaskóli. This corresponds approximately to the upper level of the German grammar school and typically includes four classes, in some experimental models even three. The Fjölbrautaskóli however, is roughly equivalent to the German technical or vocational high schools.

Higher education system

Iceland has four public and three private universities. The universities are autonomous.

The oldest and most important university is the University of Iceland, established in 1911 (Icelandic Háskóli Íslands ).