Recent indications suggest that around a thousand children in Iceland are not attending primary school, raising concerns about educational compliance despite the country’s compulsory education laws. The specifics of how widespread this issue is remain unclear, with various factors potentially contributing to the phenomenon of non-attendance. It has been reported that the Ministry of Education and Children lacks precise data regarding the number of children not attending school, as they do not systematically collect attendance information from municipalities.

Last week, Vísir reported on a response from the Minister of Education and Children during a parliamentary inquiry, revealing the absence of detailed records on school attendance in the country. The ministry's efforts to address this issue may be bolstered by the introduction of a new centralized student database, which is expected to facilitate better tracking of school attendance and enrollment. This initiative aims to provide more accurate information and potentially address any underlying problems that contribute to children not attending school.

Soffía Ámundadóttir, a teacher and project manager at the University of Iceland's School of Education, is leading a project named Menntafléttuna, focusing on addressing these educational concerns. The project aims to identify and confront the barriers that some children face in accessing education, thereby working to ensure that all children can fulfill their educational obligations and receive a proper education.