The children are negatively affected

The parents of children at Laugalækjarskóli School are beginning to feel strongly that the upheaval that follows the teachers' strike at the school is beginning to negatively affect the children's lives in various ways.

The parents say that it is a natural requirement that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is followed and that children are not discriminated against regarding their equal right to education. Also, the measures' impact will be evaluated and countermeasures will be taken.

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Say children a discriminated against by this selective strike action

This is stated in a resolution that the board of the parents' association of Laugalækjarskóli School has sent. The board demands that the teacher's pay dispute be resolved immediately.

Negative social impact

Teachers at Laugalækjarskóli School are on temporary strike until November 22. Temporary strikes are ongoing in two additional primary schools, one secondary school, and one music school. There are also indefinite strike actions in four kindergartens. On November 25, temporary strikes will take place in three other primary schools.

"Parents of children at Laugalækjarskóli School are very worried about the situation of their children who have not been able to attend school since the strike started on October 29. It looks like they will stay at home until November 22nd. "Such an interruption in children's schooling has a great impact, not only on the students' traditional learning, but it can have a significant negative social impact," says the board's resolution, among other things.

Furthermore, reference is made to a statement sent by the children's ombudsman last week, which states that the ombudsman assesses that children in the schools where strikes are ongoing are being discriminated against in terms of their right to education. It is serious if the consequences of strike actions are that students will not stand on an equal footing with their peers. Absence from school increases the likelihood of school avoidance and harms both the academic performance and the social status of the children.

Can turn their lives upside down in no time

The board also encourages the school and leisure authorities in the City of Reykjavík to respond immediately and increase social support and constructive leisure activities during the strike. Among other things, to counteract the negative effects that interruption of schooling may have.

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"Recently, there have been clear signs of a negative trend related to risky behavior and the social environment of children. Many organizations that support children in Iceland, e.g. teachers, school administrators, parents, and community center staff have started to take action, but now negative signs are appearing.

As parents, we feel very well that the social environment of teenagers is vulnerable at the moment, and it has a very negative effect on teenagers to experience the sense of release and lack of stability that comes with a break from schooling and the everyday routine. Seeking and impressionable young people can turn their lives upside down in no time and lose their footing."

The strike attracted little attention in society

The parents say they understand the reason why the Icelandic Teachers' Union has taken strike action. It is important that the schools can attract motivated staff, and therefore competitive terms and good working conditions must be available. It needs to be improved.

However, the current measures are not of such a nature that they create sufficient pressure.

"We parents feel that the strike attracts little attention in society and thus does not have the desired effect of creating enough distress and pressure on the parties to the agreement. But we, the children's families, experience this need. Our appeal is clear. Children have an equal right to education and municipalities must guarantee that right. Resolve the wage dispute immediately."