MPs propose permanent dormitory for South Iceland College
Wednesday 4th November 2026 on 16:45 in
Iceland
Students at South Iceland College have no dormitory this school year after officials failed to find suitable accommodation. Independence Party MPs have proposed building a permanent residence with public and private-sector involvement, mbl.is reported.
The parliamentary resolution proposal would allow private parties to help finance and build the dormitory and, potentially, operate it. The accommodation would be used by tourists during the summer months.
Ingveldur Anna Sigurðardóttir, the proposal’s lead sponsor, told parliament that more than 1,100 students attend the school, including young people from across South Iceland and other parts of the country. She said a dormitory was important to ensure equal access to secondary education regardless of where students live or their financial circumstances.
Without student accommodation, those from rural areas may have to travel long distances each day, find housing on the private rental market or attend a different school. A permanent dormitory could also provide students with a safe and stable place to study, Ingveldur said, while supporting communities in South Iceland.
The school’s previous dormitory in Selfoss closed in 2016 when its lease expired. In 2020, an agreement was made to use accommodation that also served tourists and, for a time, seasonal workers. A former education minister said in a written response last parliamentary term that conditions were inadequate, citing the lack of a canteen, limited support services and the dormitory’s general closure at weekends.
Under the proposal, the state would sign a long-term lease for use of the accommodation during the school year, while tourism use in summer could help make private investment viable and speed up construction. Ingveldur said plans would need to ensure students had safe housing, study facilities, common areas and support, as well as clarity on weekend stays.
The proposal was also put forward in 2025 but was not considered before the end of that parliamentary term.