National Reforms in School Education

2026

In March 2026, changes were made to the framework legislation on compulsory schools. The alternation grants the Minister of Education and Children explicit authority to set rules on the use of mobile phones and smart devices in compulsory schools and in leisure-time activities.  

2025

In June 2025 changes were made to the framework legislation on compulsory schools, introducing the Matsferill - Assessment Process as a new assessment in the country's primary schools. The Matsferill is a collection of diverse assessment tools that draw a comprehensive picture of students' status and progress in education, regularly throughout their schooling. The assessment tools are intended to make it easier for school staff to tailor teaching to the needs of each child and ensure that they receive appropriate teaching and support. It is mandatory to organise standardised assessment in Icelandic and mathematics for all pupils in the year groups stipulated by the Minister in a regulation, but at least once at each level of primary school, i.e. once at the youngest level in grades 1–4, once at the middle level in grades 5–7 and once at the junior level in grades 8–10. Furthermore, according to the Minister's decision, it is permissible to arrange mandatory standardised assessment for students in more classes and subjects.

2024

On April 1, 2024, Act No. 91/2023 established the Directorate of Education and School Services, replacing the former Directorate of Education. The new entity operates as a service institute with the overall aim of providing comprehensive support to schools and teachers nationwide. It will also play a key role in implementing pending school services legislation.  The new directorate’s operation is underpinned by the 2021 Prosperity Act (Act 86/2021). As the previous directorate, the new directorate will offer schoolchildren nationwide modern schoolbooks and testing materials, but amongst novelties is that it will provide hands-on approach to schools with pupils in need.