School and Recreation Council

The School and Recreation Council operates under the City Executive Council's authority, as detailed in the council's approval, Reykjavík City's governing approval, and the City Council's rules of order no. 1020/2019, while complying with applicable laws such as Article 37 of the Local Authorities Act No. 138/2011.

The council establishes education policy for children in Reykjavík City's preschools and primary schools, alongside recreational activities policy for children and young people. It also develops policies covering social education and music education for children and young people. Within its purview, the School and Recreation Council makes decisions and submits recommendations to the City Executive Council. Additionally, the council ensures compliance with the City's education and recreation policies and approvals, monitoring the quality of school operations and other activities under its jurisdiction. The council also manages any additional tasks the City Executive Council assigns.

To achieve these objectives, the School and Recreation Council is responsible for tasks including:

1. Recommending policies for school and recreational activities to the City Executive Council.
2. Overseeing compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Act on Preschools No. 90/2008 and the Act on Compulsory Education No. 91/2008, and recommending improvements to the City Executive Council.
3. Ensuring all school-age children entitled to schooling in Reykjavík receive their legally required education.
4. Monitoring learning and instruction delivery in Reykjavík and recommending improvements for school operations to principals, the City Executive Council, or both. Approving annual operational plans for preschools, primary schools, and recreation centers, along with individual preschool and primary school curricula.
5. Monitoring and helping to ensure that students and schools are guaranteed access to specialist services.
6. Supervising the operation and work of Reykjavík's preschools and primary schools, recreation and youth centers, and Reykjavík's after-school programs. Overseeing independently operated preschools, primary schools, music schools, and other schools receiving funding from Reykjavík City through service agreements.
7. Ensuring the City's preschools, primary schools, recreation centers, youth centers, and after-school programs maintain adequate facilities and all necessary resources. Submitting recommendations to the City Executive Council regarding the establishment and location of department units.
8. Issuing operating licenses to independently operated preschools. Overseeing home-based childcare in Reykjavík under the Municipalities' Social Services Act no. 40/1991 and its associated regulations, while also shaping policy in this area.
9. Overseeing payments to day parents.
10. Overseeing school band operations.
11. Overseeing the Reykjavík Adult Education Program.
12. Monitoring the implementation of Article 47 of the Act on Upper Secondary Education no. 92/2008 regarding the establishment and construction of secondary schools.
13. Submitting service fee recommendations to the City Executive Council.
14. Submitting funding recommendations to the City Executive Council for independently operated preschool, primary school, and music school operators, and leading the drafting of related rules and agreements.
15. Submitting funding recommendations to the City Executive Council for home-based childcare and leading the drafting of associated rules.
16. Promoting collaboration among schools—including preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, and music schools—and encouraging partnerships across preschools, primary schools, recreation centers, youth centers, after-school programs, and music schools.
17. Appointing Reykjavík City's representatives to music school boards and governing boards under Article 3 of the Act on Financial Support for Music Schools no. 75/1985.

Authorized by Article 42, paragraph 1, of the Local Government Act no. 138/2011, the School and Recreation Council manages the following matters without City Executive Council approval:

• a. Issuing operating licenses to independently operated preschools under Article 25 of the Act on Preschools no. 90/2008.
• b. Determining the location of special education programs.
• c. Determining the location of inclusive classes.
• d. Consolidating after-school programs to establish joint after-school programs.

Each year, the School and Recreation Council presents multiple awards recognizing excellence in school and recreational activities.

The School and Recreation Council comprises seven representatives elected by the City Council and an equal number of alternates. The City Council elects a chair, who must be a City Councilor. The council serves a term concurrent with the City Council's term.
Representatives for preschool and primary school principals, primary school teachers, preschool staff, and parents of preschool and primary school students may attend council meetings with the right to speak and submit proposals. An administrators' representative from the recreation centers and a representative from the Youth Council of Reykjavík also hold the right to attend, speak, and propose at these meetings.

• Rules of procedure for the School and Recreation Council.
• Minutes of the School and Recreation Council

Observers:

• Principals' representative: Guðjóna Eygló Friðriksdóttir
• Teacher representative: Kristín Björnsdóttir
• Representative of recreation center directors: Guðrún Kaldal
• Primary school parents' representative: Guðrún Elísabet Ómarsdóttir
• Representative of the City of Reykjavík Council for Youth: Indriði Nökkvi Þóreyjarson and Ragnheiður Andrésdóttir

Observers' deputies:

• Alternate principals' representative: Þóranna Rósa Ólafsdóttir
• Alternate teacher representative: Lilja Margrét Möller
• Alternate of the recreation center directors’ representative: Árni Jónsson
• Alternate primary school parents' representative: Kristín Ómarsdóttir
• Alternate representative of the City of Reykjavík Council for Youth: Guðrún Emma Þorláksdóttir