Símennt with a representative on the partnership group for further education

A working group on a complete review of further education began its work last Monday, when the group's first meeting took place. Sólveig Hildur Björnsdóttir, Managing Director of Mímir, is participating in the working group on behalf of Símenntun – the Association of Education and Continuing Education Centres. Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for Social Affairs and the Labour Market, spoke to the attendees and wished them well in their work. The group's role is to analyse the situation in the field by producing a green paper. Following this, a proposal in the form of a white paper will be drawn up for a comprehensive further education system, strengthening it as the fifth pillar of the country's public education system. The group is also tasked with advising on the drafting of a bill for a new Act on further education. The work ahead will include a special focus on Icelandic language teaching that takes place outside the formal school system and is aimed at adults whose mother tongue is not Icelandic, as the language is the key to inclusion in society. Emphasis will also be placed on examining further education with regard to disabled people.