Support Measures for Learners in Early Childhood and School Education

Definition of the Target Group(s) 

Children of immigrants or pupils whose mother tongue is not Icelandic are entitled to instruction in Icelandic as second language. The instruction aims at encouraging the pupils to become actively bilingual, enabling them to study at compulsory school and thus becoming active participants in Icelandic society.

There are no pupils defined as pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in the legislation on pre-primary schools, compulsory schools, nor the upper secondary schools. Decisions for special measures concerning pupils from disadvantaged background are taken at municipal level by local family services and school officials jointly.

Collaboration between schools and welfare services in case of socially dysfunctional or at-risk families, is a rule and guarded by the Child Welfare Act nr. 76/2003. 

Specific Support Measures

Each pre-primary and compulsory school oversees the reception of children, regardless of their background. Pupils whose mother tongue is not Icelandic are entitled to instruction in Icelandic as second language. All schools have access to information and guidance for providing each child with instruction in Icelandic as a second language.