Health and education in Iceland

Although Iceland’s population can be counted on fingers, but when it comes to their standard of living, it is among the best in the world. Not only in overall living but they have maintained a very high priority for their education and health related issues. Let’s review the condition of education and health of Iceland and its people.

EDUCATION

Iceland has kept the level of its education very high. At present literacy there can be compared to some very developed countries of the world. It is the case of 1907, that it was made mandatory for children below 14 years of age to attend the schools. Then in 1946, this age limit was extended to 16 years. Beyond 16 years, there is a provision of high schools or specialized schools. The basic principle of Icelandic mode of providing education is that everyone should be given equal opportunities to attend schools and acquire education. Points like sexual difference, financial condition, their location, and religion, any type of physical or mental disability or cultural or social background are not considered as hindrances in somebody’s path to get an education.

The reason why Icelandic mode of education is world class because they know that to compete with the ever advancing world, they need to provide their children, a world class training and facilities. By the rule of government of Iceland, everyone comes under the law of taking free education in primary, upper-secondary and at university level. Because the policies of the government are made in such a way that it encourages the founding of any private school, that’s why many private institutions are working to build on the school system. Otherwise the education system in Iceland is traditionally an organized public sector. In 1998, a new school education policy was launched here in Iceland which aimed at providing the students of Iceland with the education which is best in the world. The reason behind launching this policy was to create a very efficient and very flexible system for school education which focuses on the needs and requirements of the modern day world.

HEALTH

Just like education, health care services of Iceland are considered one of the best in the world. All citizens of Iceland have equal opportunities to have the benefit of medical services to maintain their mental and physical health. A law from government of Iceland ensures that no one should be deprived from health care services on the basis of sex, religion, beliefs, nationality, rank and color of skin or any other attributes. Major part of Icelandic health service is financed by government and this financing is made on the base of taxes or 85% and 15% is fees for the service conducted.

The country of Iceland is divided in health care regions and every region has its own health care centre. In some parts of Iceland, these health care centers run in collaboration with the local community hospital. These centers fulfill the services of treating, general care, examining, nursing and some social services like family planning, maternity services, health care for children and health care in schools. Various types of hospitals such as specialized training hospitals, general hospital and community hospitals are there in Iceland. The specialized hospitals perform serious and complicate surgeries with efficiency because the staff is very qualified and the performance is very professional. Average life of females is 83 years and it is 79 years for males and this is highest in the world. Infant mortality rate is 3 per 1000 births which is lowest in the world.

Author Bio:
Dagur Jonsson is the editor of Iceland Guest, a website specializing in tourist information for travelers to Iceland. For more information visit www.icelandguest.com