Residents to take part in shaping a new education policy

The City of Hafnarfjörður is developing a new education strategy in active collaboration with all stakeholders and interested parties, which will be ready in the spring of 2020 and will be valid for 10 years. Fanney Dóróthe Halldórsdóttir, Director of the Education and Public Health Department, says that a school policy should be simple and unite the core values of everyone in the school community.

„We need to create a shared vision of what the school can look like in the future, a kind of dream vision, which will evolve and change in line with the needs and interests of the pupils. The aim is always to enhance and strengthen the school community as a whole to tackle its challenging role and create greater flow and a more diverse school life,“ says Fanney.

Pupils' will and ability go hand in hand.

Fanney emphasises that students are the most important in this context, as their needs, will and perseverance in achieving the goals they set for themselves are of the utmost importance. „At the same time, interest, knowledge and proficiency must be created and maintained among staff, management, parents and those involved in strengthening and shaping the school community. Education should promote competence, socialisation and independent thinking, and the role of the teacher is to maintain a balance between these key elements and to make decisions about pedagogy, methods and the organisation of school activities. Educational policy also incorporates key areas such as prevention, public health, sports and leisure activities, and it encompasses work with all children; with childminders, nurseries and primary schools, after-school clubs, youth centres, the youth house and all member associations of ÍBH.“

Future and traditions are in conflict

It is said that schools reflect society at any given time, but Fanney says they are also a force for change that influences society when the future calls and traditions pull hard. „We are talking about reforms to increase well-being and co-operation. They are the responsibility of everyone connected to the school environment in one way or another. We, who are involved in the upbringing and education of children and young people, need to pull together and create a forward-looking strategy that increases the likelihood that people will spot opportunities or threats and can take the necessary action to ensure the strategy is successful. We would love to hear from residents, and all interested parties can air their ideas and opinions, among other things, through The consultation platform Better Hafnarfjörður and the email address menntastefna@hafnarfjordur.is and also by actively participating in meetings in the coming weeks and months, which will be advertised separately.“

An interview with Fanney D. Halldórsdóttir was first published in Hafnfirðingurinn.