What's up? 40% of Icelandic students aren't quite nailing the basics in reading comprehension.

What does it truly mean that 40% of students in Iceland do not achieve basic skills in reading comprehension? This fact, highlighted in PISA studies among others, is more than just statistics. It's indicative of a profound issue that affects our future as a community.

PISA 2022 showed that the results of Icelandic students in reading comprehension are the worst since Iceland started participating in the survey. More than one in three students cannot read effectively. They struggle to understand, interpret, and evaluate simple texts—skills that are fundamental to continuing education, keeping up in school, and participating in a democratic society.

This is not just a school issue

We might be tempted to see this as a problem within the school system. But it reaches much further. When children do not attain basic reading skills, it diminishes their opportunities in life: in learning, work, and community involvement. It impacts the job market, healthcare, politics, and culture. This is a societal emergency we have grown accustomed to.

How did we get here?

There is no single reason. The time spent reading at home has decreased, digital media has captured the attention of children and youth, and teachers face diverse student groups with limited resources. Parents trust the schools, but schools can't bear the responsibility alone. We have not united in prioritizing reading as a fundamental pillar—not in education policy, not in funding, and not in daily life.

What do we need to do?

We need a radical and collective shift in attitude. Reading needs to become a communal project—not just something we hope happens in the classroom. Teachers need support with tools and time, parents with education and incentives, and children with access to diverse, vibrant reading materials they can relate to.

We also need new approaches. Technology can be part of the solution—with apps and games that spark children's interest and build their confidence. But above all, we need to face the facts. This 40% is not just numbers. They are children we cannot afford to lose.