Icelandic students need more vocational and artistic education, says student association head

Iceland's education system needs a significant shift in focus, moving beyond traditional academics to embrace vocational and artistic learning, according to Guðjón Hreinn Hauksson, head of the Association of Secondary School Students.

Hauksson argues that the current emphasis on reading, writing, and arithmetic is too narrow. "Schools must cater to all student needs, and they have a very important and broad role," he told mbl.is. "It is not good if we, in discussions about school matters, reduce schools to just reading, writing, and arithmetic."

This call for change comes amid a crisis in secondary education, with Iceland experiencing the highest dropout rates in Europe since 2020. A primary reason identified is a lack of funding for vocational training. Despite a significant increase in student interest, vocational schools must turn away hundreds of applicants annually, as recent junior high graduates receive priority.

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Schools must cater to all student needs, and they have a very important and broad role. It is not good if we, in discussions about school matters, reduce schools to just reading, writing, and arithmetic.

"Vocational training, these practical and creative subjects, must be given much more weight," Hauksson stated, emphasizing that vocational training has been neglected in Iceland. "The infrastructure is simply not strong enough. There is a lack of facilities and qualified professionals to teach, and we are just stuck in a loop."

Hauksson did welcome the constructive discussion about educational matters that has recently begun in Iceland.

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Vocational training, these practical and creative subjects, must be given much more weight. The infrastructure is simply not strong enough. There is a lack of facilities and qualified professionals to teach, and we are just stuck in a loop.