The Ministry of Education has presented a plan on cutbacks for secondary schools and universities in Iceland.
Inside the University of Iceland. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Universities have to rationalize by 8.5 percent—making a ISK 1.7 billion (USD 13 million, EUR 9 million) cut—and secondary schools by five percents, which translates to a cut of approximately ISK 1 billion (USD 8 million, EUR 6 million).
According to Morgunbladid’s sources, in the case of secondary schools, additional services, such as evening and long-distance courses, might be sacrificed, although nothing has been decided yet. The cutbacks might also affect each school differently.
Minister of Education Katrín Jakobsdóttir, said the basic service will be left intact, adding, “Expenses at the universities have increased much more than at the secondary schools in the past few years so it is more difficult to make cuts at secondary schools.”
Rector of the University of Iceland (HÍ) Kristín Ingólfsdóttir said the cut will prove difficult since the number of students is increasing; 6,796 freshmen will begin their studies at HÍ in next fall, compared to 5,685 in 2008.
“We have to find a solution to this problem and are working on it with the ministry,” Ingólfsdóttir commented.
