Inga unveils measures to improve Iceland’s PISA performance

Children and Education Minister Inga Sæland has announced a series of measures aimed at reversing Iceland’s continued poor performance in the PISA assessment, mbl.is reported. Iceland ranked either last or second to last among 27 European countries within the OECD.

Sæland outlined the measures at a news conference held after the latest PISA results were released.

Greater focus on core skills

The government plans to place much greater emphasis on core skills, including reading in Icelandic and science, as well as other STEM subjects. The curriculum will also be reviewed to establish clearer priorities.

Sæland said schools would set high and consistent expectations for all students and focus more deeply on the basics.

Students would study fewer subjects, while receiving greater attention in the subjects they are studying.

New teaching materials

The government plans to allocate 455 million Icelandic krónur for new teaching materials.

Sæland said the materials would reduce the burden on teachers, who currently spend evenings and weekends preparing lessons for the following day or the day after.

Phone-free schools

The government also plans to create phone-free schools, giving children the opportunity to put away their phones during school hours.

Sæland said the aim was to let children be children and protect them from the pressure, risky behaviour and other problems associated with spending all day on social media.

Teacher development and support

A major professional development initiative for teachers is also planned. Sæland said teachers wanted to participate in such programmes and that the government would provide stronger support for their professional development.

The government also plans to increase professional support for schools, with particular attention to students of foreign origin. Sæland said more teachers specialising in Icelandic as a second language were needed.

More teacher specialisation

Sæland said teacher specialisation should be increased and that teacher education needed to be strengthened. A review of teacher education is currently under way.

She said student teachers should have more flexibility to enter practical training during their studies and be paid while doing so.

Sæland also said the government would establish a new STEM track and strengthen science education.