Iceland

Abstract

The modern Icelandic school system dates back to 1907 when the first legislation on compulsory schooling, free of charge, was passed. Today, the educational system consists of four school levels: pre-primary, compulsory, upper secondary, and higher education. Education in Iceland has traditionally been organized within the public sector. The educational system has to a large extent been decentralized. Local municipalities are responsible for the operation of pre-primary and compulsory schools. The state runs upper-secondary schools and institutions at the higher education level. Great changes have taken place in education in Iceland since 1990, with regard to school autonomy and participation, at the same time as society has undergone considerable change due to the influence of globalization and a free-market economy.