Iceland’s Minister of Higher Education Sparks Controversy over School Supplies and Meals

Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Higher Education, Industry, and Innovation, has sparked controversy with her comments regarding free school supplies and meals. In an opinion piece published in Morgunblaðið, she criticized schools for collecting excessive amounts of unused educational materials, suggesting this leads to unnecessary costs and waste.

However, Þorsteinn Sæberg, chairman of the Icelandic School Principals’ Association, disputes this claim, stating that there is a significant shortage of educational materials in Icelandic schools. He emphasizes the need for a broader selection of resources.

Sigurbjörnsdóttir further argues that providing free school meals for all children constitutes poor management of public funds, questioning what could possibly be offered next that no one appreciates. In response, Vilhjálmur Birgisson, chairman of the Akranes Trade Union, asserts that her remarks reveal a lack of understanding. He expressed disappointment, noting that achieving free school meals was a significant effort, with opposition primarily from the Independence Party at the municipal level.

Birgisson also highlighted the financial benefit of free school meals for families with two elementary school-aged children, equating it to a salary increase of 37,000 Icelandic krónur per month. He reminded the minister that ongoing negotiations are aimed at long-term moderation, with the state budget accounting for anticipated wage increases of 8-9%, while negotiations currently sit around 4%. This, he argues, leads to substantial savings for the government, questioning the rationale behind her criticism.