Education Minister Open To Privatising Schools

Minister of Education Illugi Gunnarsson said he is open to the idea of further privatisation of Iceland’s secondary schools.

Speaking on radio station Bylgjan this morning, Vísir reports, hosts pointed out for the minister that teachers at The Commercial College of Iceland – a private school – receive a 10% higher salary than other secondary school teachers. The minister was then asked if he believed this indicated a need for further privatisation.

“We should be open for all possibilities like this,” Illugi said. “There is room for more variety in our education system.”

Whilst Illugi would not comment in detail about the teachers’ strike, he implied that the government could offer a higher pay raise than was outlined in the collective bargaining agreement that the teachers voted against earlier this month.

“I believe it is very worthwhile, that we can raise teachers’ salaries,” he said, but declined to name specific figures.