Education system in Iceland
The education system in Iceland is multi-part and settled on 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. The various types of schools and universities are encouraged to work in a network.
Most Icelandic schools are state schools and there are relatively few private schools.
History of the education system
As in other countries, the schools of the Middle Ages were located near monasteries, famous parishes and bishops such as Hólar , Skálholt , Oddi , Haukadalur , Kirkjubæjarklaustur .
The oldest documented school establishment is linked to that of the bishopric in Skálholt in 1056. This is the oldest grammar school in Iceland. It was moved to Reykjavík in 1786 because of frequent earthquakes , then again to Bessastaðir in 1805 . The school has been in the same location in the center of Reykjavík since 1846 and has been called Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík ever since .
The oldest university in the country is the University of Iceland ( Háskóli Íslands ), founded in 1911 . When it was founded, three higher schools were combined, Prestaskólinn , Læknaskólinn and Lagaskólinn , each teaching the classical disciplines of theology, medicine and law. The humanities faculty was added as the fourth faculty. The first rector was Björn Magnússon Ólsen , professor of philology .
Up until the 20th century it was common in rural areas for children to be taught the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic from their parents. In winter the children were taught together by teachers in less practical subjects such as biology, geography and history on a larger farm.
school-system
Compulsory schooling
School attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 (actually from the age of 5) to the age of 16 years (completion of the 10th grade). However, exceptions are possible, both earlier and later school enrollment at the request of the parents, as well as earlier entry into professional life after the 9th grade, although the 10th grade must be made up, possibly taking into account work experience.
School types
Leikskóli
The three separate areas in Germany of crèche, kindergarten and preschool are generally grouped under one roof as leikskóli (plural leikskólar ).
According to Icelandic law, these schools are open to children under school age. There is a framework curriculum for them ( Icelandic aðalnámskrá ), which the individual school can fill with detailed content .
Grunnskóli
All children from 6 to 16 years of age are obliged to complete the Grunnskóli . This is a comprehensive school that includes grades 1 to 10.
There is a binding curriculum for this type of school ( Icelandic námskrá ).
Framhaldsskóli
After the Grunnskóli, the possible training paths branch out.
The higher school in Iceland is called Framhaldsskóli . In order to complete the general Abitur ( Icelandic stúdentspróf ), you have to attend a menntaskóli . This corresponds roughly to the upper level of the German grammar school and normally comprises four classes, in some experimental models even three. The Fjölbrautaskóli, on the other hand, corresponds roughly 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, founded in 1911 ( Icelandic Háskóli Íslands ).
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ A b The Educational System in Iceland. Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, accessed October 3, 2012 .
- ↑ Skólinn fyrr og nú. Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík, accessed October 3, 2012 .
- ↑ Skólaskylda. (No longer available online.) Skólatorg, archived from the original on December 6, 2011 ; Retrieved October 3, 2012 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Lög um leikskóla. Althing , accessed on October 3, 2012 (legal text on leikskólar ).
- ↑ Leikskólastig. Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, accessed October 3, 2012 .
- ↑ Menntamál. Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, accessed October 3, 2012 .
- ↑ Námskrár. Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, accessed October 3, 2012 .
