CoR - Iceland Education

Central

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Department for Education and Science is responsible for all levels of education

Issuing the main curricula of pre-primary schools, compulsory schools and upper secondary schools, ballet schools and music schools;
Supervising the quality of teaching and research provided by the universities;
Analysing and distributing information;
Supporting innovation and development in schools;
The evaluation and supervision of educational activities;
Secondary education;
Vocational and technical education;
Higher education; and
Adult education.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Local

Municipal authorities are responsible for:

Management of pre-schools and elementary schools (primary and lower secondary education).
Apart from being represented on the school boards of upper-secondary schools, and pay 40% of the construction costs of new upper secondary schools according to a contract between the state and the municipalities, local authorities have no administrative responsibilities at the upper-secondary level or at the higher education level.
Management ofof music schools is a voluntary task which most municipalities participate in, either by providing funding for privately owned schools or by direct operation of local music schools.
An agreement between the central government and the Association of Icelandic Local Authorities was signed in May 2011, providing State funding for the teaching of advanced students in music schools.

Sources

Policies Area