Independent schools gain seats on Reykjavik oversight councils

Reykjavik’s city council presidium has approved giving a representative of the Association of Independent Schools the right to attend, speak and make proposals at two municipal councils, mbl.is reported. The proposal has been sent to the full city council for final approval.

The school and recreation council and the preschool and daycare council deal with service contracts, funding and oversight of independently operated preschools and primary schools. Opposition representatives say a permanent seat for the association could create conflicts of interest.

Representatives of the Socialist Party said independently operated preschools make up about one fifth of Reykjavik’s preschools. They argued that it was inappropriate for an organisation representing operators to have a permanent seat on a council that oversees those schools, negotiates their service contracts and proposes funding. They also warned that the association could gain access to sensitive city information.

The majority, made up of the Independence Party, Viðreisn and the Progressive Party, said it was reasonable for a representative of the schools to participate in the councils’ meetings. It said independently operated preschools and primary schools serve about one tenth of children attending such schools in Reykjavik, and that the councils’ decisions directly affect their operations.