Authorities have fallen asleep at the wheel on education

Inga Sæland says Icelandic authorities “fell asleep at the wheel” on education in recent years, and she points to the country's poor PISA results as evidence.

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Yes, unfortunately.

Asked whether authorities had neglected education, Sæland answered: “Yes, unfortunately.” She said Iceland's situation would not be as bad as it is if education had received greater priority. In her view, the country failed to give sufficient attention to the field on which its future depends.

Sæland said the current government has placed particular emphasis on children and education. She described the government's approach as a “national effort,” noting that one of its leading figures has taken responsibility for the education and children's affairs ministry.

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It is quite clear that it would not be this bad if that were not the reality, and sufficient emphasis simply has not been placed on education, which our country's future is built on.

She also said education has gained greater prominence in public debate and that she has felt strong encouragement to continue with the changes she plans to pursue. Sæland described the latest PISA results as extremely serious and said Iceland has declined on academic measures since 2015. She believes the country has now reached the bottom. “There is nothing left to do now but go up, go up, and push hard away from the bottom,” she said.

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I believe we have reached the bottom, and now there is nothing left to do but go up, go up, and push hard away from the bottom.