Primary school changes underway

Faroese schools currently do not have any minimum requirements for the size of tenth forms.

Under the existing rules, all schools with a tenth form receive public funding regardless of whether their tenth form consists of one or 24 pupils.

But this is about to change, as a proposed amendment to the Primary Education Act seeks to introduce minimum class sizes of 15 pupils in the tenth form.

The proposal also aims to cut two hours out of the timetable for forms 1-9. These two hours will now be used for purposes other than direct teaching, such as competency development for teachers.

Another upcoming change is that social studies will become a mandatory subject in forms 7-9.

The proposal is a cross-party initiative, which may pave the way for wider school collaboration between local authorities, according to the Ministry of Culture.

The proposed amendments to the Primary Education Act will be debated in Parliament on 23 January.

Translated by prosa.fo