Hafnarfjörður's Education Policy

  1. Service
  2. Schools and children

 

Vision

In school and leisure activities, emphasis is placed on well-being, social security and independence. Respect is shown for different ways of life and diversity. Enabling conditions for leisure and learning that support initiative, collaboration and creative thinking. Children are given the opportunity to develop their talents through play and activities at their own pace and enjoy support to grow and flourish. The guiding principles of the education policy are fundamentally four: Creativity, Diversity, Well-being and Collaboration, and priorities have been established for each guiding principle which have a direct bearing on both The United Nations' Global Goals and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Guiding principles of education policy

  1. Creation

    We emphasise giving children the opportunity to develop through play, leisure activities and creative school activities. Through entrepreneurship, technology and art, we find new ways in the school and leisure environment and develop them further.

    Emphasis

    • For children to be given the space and time to explore the world creatively, and to have opportunities to develop solution-focused thinking and express themselves in a variety of ways.
    • To give all children the opportunity to take the initiative in shaping their own learning, for their ideas to be respected and for innovation to be encouraged.
    • All children are offered access to a wide variety of creative projects throughout their school years, both in compulsory and optional subjects.
    • For students to receive training in expressing themselves creatively, both orally and in writing.

     

  2. Diversity

    We respect all individuals and ways of life and emphasise that the learning environment should reflect the diversity of human life. A variety of teaching methods support equality, equity, democracy and human rights.

    Emphasis

    • To promote the importance of all children's needs and voices, ensuring their perspectives are heard in all activities and empowering the children in their own circumstances.
    • That projects are being undertaken which aim to meet the needs of particularly vulnerable groups of children, giving them greater visibility and respect.
    • Teaching methods should be adapted to the diverse needs of children, ensuring that each individual is respected and that everyone's strengths are allowed to flourish.
    • To enhance multicultural competence and community engagement through education, flexibility, inclusion and access to support for children and families.
    • To emphasise that all children, regardless of background or circumstances, have the right to respect, equality and opportunities to enjoy their rights.

  3. Well-being

    We emphasise a safe learning and play environment, and conditions for activity and work, so that children can gain confidence in their own abilities, grow stronger and build resilience. Early support, prevention and empowerment lay the foundation for the well-being and welfare of all.

    Emphasis

    • The school community works towards inclusion by supporting tolerance, democracy, mutual responsibility, justice and safety, which foster a sense of belonging.
    • Nurturing the protective factors in the lives of children through proactive prevention in education and practice.
    • Working towards daily exercise, outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle.
    • To empower children by providing them with suitable tools that enhance communication skills, strengthen their identity, emotional intelligence and sense of justice.
    • That targeted efforts are made to create the best possible conditions for children to acquire a good command of the Icelandic language, which is important for their well-being and social interaction.

  4. Cooperation

    We build a learning community with the participation of everyone. Collaboration promotes democratic engagement and connections. Interdisciplinary collaboration and teams support development and new approaches.

    Emphasis

    • Working towards a strong partnership between home and school to bring children the greatest success.
    • To promote teamwork and democratic participation of children in all activities.
    • That there is active collaboration between school stages so that coherence and cooperation characterise all school activities to enhance the interests of children.
    • That the entire school community works well together to promote the interests of children.

Foreword

The preparation for shaping Hafnarfjörður's education policy began in January 2019 with the appointment of an education leader from each nursery and primary school and the establishment of a working group tasked with defining the project, its timeline, structure, resources, implementation and development. The steering group included one elected representative from each party on the town council, the Director of the Education and Public Health Department, a Development Officer for Nurseries, a Development Officer for Primary Schools, and the Sports and Leisure Officer. Work on the strategy itself was scheduled to begin in 2020, but the global pandemic had a significant impact. The schools' urgent priorities changed and the overall working environment was altered, which delayed work on the education strategy. The strategy was developed through extensive consultation between 2019 and 2024, involving staff, pupils, parents/guardians, and interest groups. Around 700 people participated.

Policy content

It was proposed that the strategy should take into account the projects of the entire education and public health sector in a broad sense and include, for example, prevention and well-being, public health, sport and leisure. The strategy is intended to cover all children and young people with childminders, in nurseries and primary schools, music schools, after-school clubs, leisure centres and youth centres. The policy serves as a guiding framework for decision-making in education and public health in Hafnarfjörður. The target group includes all children and young people in Hafnarfjörður aged 0-18, their parents and guardians, and municipal staff.

The United Nations' Global Goals

The Global Goals are an action plan for humanity, the planet and prosperity. When selecting actions to implement the policy's priorities, the United Nations' Global Goals are taken into account.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

All those involved in matters concerning children must do what is within their power to implement the Convention. When selecting measures to implement the policy's priorities, the Convention is taken into account.

Child-friendly municipality

Child-Friendly Local Government is an initiative that supports the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout the local government's administration and activities. The implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the City of Hafnarfjörður involves the municipality's commitment to use the convention as a guiding principle in its work, and for the five core principles to run like a thread through its administration and activities. Child-friendly local authorities promote the active participation of children in matters that concern them, and they consult with children and young people in a targeted manner to improve their services.

Hafnarfjörður's comprehensive strategy for 2035

Hafnarfjörður's overall strategy is built around nine main objectives. Each of these is intended to promote long-term improvements and positive changes, so that the strategy's vision can become a reality. Education for all is one of the objectives, while the well-being of residents, physical activity and health, and meaningful participation are examples of others.  The main objectives are linked to the United Nations' Global Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which, along with the main objectives, form the basis for selecting priorities in specific areas for a period of two to three years. The policy, among other things, emphasises that the standards of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are used in services for children and young people.