Lecture by Dr. Gu'rún Ragnarsdóttir - University of Iceland (January 23, 12:30 pm, Ferran Ferrer Seminar)

10/01/2024

The Icelandic school system is primarily grounded in Nordic traditions but has borrowed ideas from the East and West due to its geographical location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The education policy in Iceland emphasises inclusive and comprehensive education for all. Following international trends, the system was decentralised in the mid-1990s with extensive focus on school autonomy.

From that time the upper secondary school system has undergone significant changes and is currently immersed in a complex debate marked by policy contradictions that warrant careful examination. Guðrún will focus on the upper secondary education system in her presentation and the consequences of the policy directives with a particular focus on social stratification. She will describe the system in general, its origin and development. But also, her research with colleagues on the gap between vocational and general academic programs, the admissions traditions and social stratification as well as other relevant policy interventions.

The issues Guðrún will touch upon reflects broader global discussions and contradictions when it comes to inclusion and social justice. This contradiction poses challenges in fostering a comprehensive and equitable education system that caters to diverse students.