Inga outlines measures to improve Iceland’s PISA results

Wednesday 9th September 2026 on 12:45 in Iceland

Inga Sæland, Iceland’s minister for children and education, has announced a series of measures aimed at reversing the country’s continued decline in the PISA rankings, mbl.is reports.

Iceland ranked either last or second to last among 27 European countries in the OECD comparison, depending on the subject.

Greater focus on core skills

The first measure is a substantially stronger focus on core skills in key subjects, including reading, Icelandic and science, as well as a review of the curriculum with clearer priorities.

“We intend to have high and consistent expectations for all students and to go deeply into the basics,” Inga said.

Fewer topics will be taught, with greater emphasis placed on the subjects students study at any given time.

New teaching materials

The government will allocate 455 million Icelandic krónur for new teaching materials and begin publishing them.

Inga said the move would give teachers more time by reducing the need to spend evenings and weekends preparing material for their students.

Phone-free schools

Inga also highlighted plans to create phone-free schools, giving children the opportunity to be without their phones during school hours.

She said smartphones could make people dependent on social media and that children should be allowed to be children while they are young. The government would do everything in its power to reduce the exposure to pressure and risky behaviour associated with spending all day on social media, she said.

Teacher development and support

The government also plans to launch an initiative on teacher professional development. Inga said only 57 per cent of teachers believed professional development had an effect on their teaching.

“Something is not being done correctly, because our teachers do not lack the will to take part,” she said, adding that support for professional development would be improved.

She also called for stronger professional support for schools, with particular attention to students of foreign origin. More teachers specialising in Icelandic as a second language are needed, she said.

Teachers must receive the support they need to perform well, while experienced teachers should help guide others, Inga said.