Hafnarfjörður Town Council is seeking clear answers about the Technical College.

At a meeting of the town council currently underway, it was resolved to request that the minister reconsider his decision on the merger of the Hafnarfjörður Technical College and the Technical College, and to hold consultation and cooperation with representatives of stakeholders, staff, students, the business community and the local authorities in Hafnarfjörður regarding the school's status and future.

The mayor has already requested a meeting with the Minister for Education regarding the situation that has arisen.

The Hafnarfjörður Town Council requests clear answers from the Minister of Education on the following points, which it considers to be insufficiently clear in the decision-making process:

Information is requested on how the authorities intend to proceed with the announced merger of the schools.

1. How is it planned to ensure the continuation of operations in Hafnarfjörður?

2. Which subjects are planned to be taught in Hafnarfjörður?

3. How is it proposed to ensure that the staff of the Hafnarfjörður Vocational School will continue to have employment?

4. Are there plans for school fees to increase from their current level at the Hafnarfjörður Vocational School?

5. Is the proposed school expected to compensate pupils for increased travel costs?

A more detailed breakdown is requested on what the benefits of the merger would consist of.

1. What is the estimated saving for the state?

2. What is the estimated benefit of a combined school?

3. Is it intended to ensure that any financial leeway created through the rationalisation is used to strengthen vocational training, in Hafnarfjörður as well as elsewhere?

4. Information is requested on how it is ensured that vocational training is maintained and strengthened in Hafnarfjörður, and whether the state will make this a condition in the proposed merger agreement.

5. A more detailed explanation is requested as to how this merger, if it goes ahead, will help to increase the number of students in vocational subjects, both in Hafnarfjörður and elsewhere in the country.

6. Information is requested on whether an assessment has been made of other possible overlaps and shared use of schools, e.g. with Flensborgarskóli in Hafnarfjörður.

7. Information is requested on whether this measure is part of a larger programme to promote vocational training in Iceland, and if so, in what way. What other measures are being taken by the government to achieve the goal of promoting vocational training in the country?

Information is requested regarding the appointment to the ministerial working group that dealt with the merger of the schools:

1. Were nominations sought, for example from the City of Hafnarfjörður, or did the minister appoint representatives to the group without nominations?

2. How was the consultation with the local authority otherwise conducted?

The Technical College in Hafnarfjörður dates its history back to 1928 and has therefore been one of the town's main educational institutions for nearly 90 years.  The school has strong links with the community, both with the town's businesses and its primary schools, and the local council has also directly supported its work.  The Minister of Education's decision to authorise the merger of the school with Tækniskólinn ehf., following a short lead-in period, raises concerns that the consequences will be a blow to vocational training and school life in Hafnarfjörður.

The Vocational School in Hafnarfjörður is the only state-run vocational school in the country. Its announced privatisation and merger with Tækniskólinn ehf. runs directly counter to the stated opposition of the school's staff and the local authorities in Hafnarfjörður.