Municipalities launch collaboration to develop special education school services
Local and state officials signed a letter of intent today to collaborate on developing special education school services in the capital area. Reykjavík City, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, and Seltjarnarnes signed the letter alongside the Ministry of Education and Children and the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The letter of intent stems from a feasibility study conducted for the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area (SSH), which explored the potential for greater state-municipal collaboration on special education school services. The study found this collaboration to be both practical and feasible, noting that a coordinated effort could create stronger, more sustainable, and more varied services for children with diverse support needs.
Looking at both long-term and short-term services
The collaboration aims to ensure children who need special education school services receive support tailored to their individual needs — support that promotes their well-being, engagement, and education.
The initiative will focus on developing long-term special education school services for children with ongoing needs, expanding diverse short-term options, and strengthening special education classes within mainstream primary schools.
According to the study, an estimated 360 primary school-age children in the capital area meet the criteria for special education school services at any given time — representing roughly 1.0% to 1.3% of that demographic. Currently, just over 200 children attend a special education school, while around 160 receive other specialized services within mainstream primary schools.
Shared responsibility between municipalities and the state
A joint steering group representing the municipalities and the Ministry of Education and Children will convene to develop proposals for the future structure of these services, including the development of new special education schools, short-term options, and enhanced special education classes in mainstream primary schools.
The steering group is expected to submit these proposals by the end of 2026.
A joint statement released by the SSH board for the occasion reads: "The SSH board is united on the importance of a shared vision among the municipalities and the value of state-municipal collaboration on these issues. By working together, we can pool demand, expertise, and funding to build larger, more stable operational units that deliver better and more specialized services for children than the current arrangement allows."
The letter of intent marks the start of a shared path forward for the municipalities and the state — one focused on building a long-term vision and a comprehensive framework for special education school services across the capital area.
The report is a priority project under the capital area's 2025 strategic plan.