Peace world « a real model »

Reception department at Háaleitisskóli in Ásbrú in Reykjanesbær for children in search of international protection helps children adapt to the Icelandic school system and has given good practice. It is « not a question » that this route could be a model for other schools in the country.

This is stated by Unnar Stefán Sigurðsson, principal of Háaleitisskóli, in a conversation with mbl.is.

In Háaleitisskóli, about 40 languages ​​are spoken and almost 70% of students are broken by foreign rocks. As has been discussed before, a large number of asylum seekers have resided in Ásbrú and therefore many children in search of international protection attended the High School.

Opened the resort in October 2023

In October 2023, a department was opened at Háaleitisskóli called Friðheimar. It focuses on Icelandic, mathematics, life skills, information technology.

« When they come, we start by seeing how well they are schooling, whether they have ever been in school or some of their lives. In fact, this is very individual.

For example, some students have been at Friðheimar this year, which is also OK.

« Not just the student who is underneath but the home »

The adjustment works so that students start in Peace, but engage in gymnastics and arts and crafts in Háaleitisskóli with their peers.

« So slowly, if they are ready for more, then they start to come into ÍSAT, Icelandic as a second language, so the ÍSAT foundation is taught in Friðheimar and then they can come on the first, second or third steps to Háaleitiskóli, » says Unnar.

When Friðheimar started, students were around 100, but today they are about 30. No doubt plays that asylum applications have decreased in the past year. First and foremost, Arabic and Spanish-speaking students are in Peace.

« We keep a good care of parents. For example, we have a teacher and she is great at creating a parent plan. It’s not just the student who is under the home.

Students come ready to school

He mentions that the so -called Swedish way for students in mathematics who are still learning Icelandic. It works so that the examples are in the native speakers of the student, but so slowly and biting are examples in Icelandic.

Various challenges have followed to have such a diverse group of students and not least to have students who come from war -torn countries or have other cultures.

« I started here in August so you don’t know how it was here before. You’ve just heard stories of how it was before when students came and went straight into the bench, » says Unnar, adding:

« Teachers realize that students come to school more ready when they have been in this resort. There is no question and you also find it on the lightness here while you heard how the weight was here last year.

« A key factor in this is the student’s well -being« 

When asked, he says it is quite clear that the children themselves feel better and that it increases their confidence in adapting to the system before they are put into class systems in a school that they do not recognize.

« A key factor in this is the student’s well -being. That we are meeting the student where he is at any given time, » says Unnar.

He says he does not recognize examples of the reception departments elsewhere in the country. He is of the opinion that there should not be special reception schools but rather reception departments that are part of the school, thus the student’s integration becomes stronger.

The student belongs to a certain school that he can start connecting through certain subjects, get to know peers and relate to Icelandic school culture sooner and better. This involves a certain security.

Can be utilized such resources in more places

This is something that should look at more places in the country where there is perhaps a high proportion of children who are asylum seekers. Could this be regarded as a model elsewhere?

« If you ask me, I don’t think it’s a question. We have been running this now for over a year, October 2023 we started, and have good experience with it.

« I think this is a real example of how this should be. It still can’t be misunderstood me, this is no magic solution but I know we are doing this well.

Important to step into in the event of a collision

He says good cooperation with parents is a key issue. The staff in Friðheimar have had courses for parents about what is related to Icelandic culture, school systems and parenting that have been very well attended by parents and are particularly successful.

Families often come from different cultures where there are different values ​​and it is important to respect them. Unnar says it is important to be afraid to step into when issues come up and take the discussion, with students and parents.

For example, there was a case where a parent was dissatisfied with the fact that a woman was teaching. Then they have been discussed and explained that in our cultural world it was natural.