Health care school in the Faroe Islands receives only five applications for August program

The application deadline for the health care education program was March 15, but only five applications were received.

This low number is not sufficient to start a new class, according to Vivie Davidsen, director of the Health School. This year, the school had intended to increase enrollment from 21 to 34 students and had made room for two classes.

Vivie Davidsen noted that one reason for the few applications is the change in the academic calendar, as this is the first time they are accepting health care students to start in August. People are not accustomed to the application deadline for an August start.

Additionally, she stated that the school had not done much to promote the new classes, choosing instead to prioritize the organization of the academic calendar for existing classes.

Bingerð H. Fosságil, chairwoman of the Health Care Association, expressed in a recent statement that it is time to relocate the training closer to those wishing to become health care professionals. She suggested establishing a new branch of the Health School in the northern part of the region, possibly in conjunction with another educational institution.

Vivie Davidsen refrained from commenting on this proposal, as it is a political matter. She highlighted a significant challenge—people do not receive a salary while undergoing training.

Currently, there is no unemployment, which Davidsen believes contributes to fewer applications for the Health School. She is confident that if individuals were paid during their training, many more would seek to become health care professionals.

The Health School of the Faroe Islands is preparing to establish an additional class for health care students, allowing for two classes with 17 students each in the future.