Chapter 12: Fundamental Reasons for Mathematics Education in Iceland

Iceland was predominantly a rural society under Danish rule until the 20th century. The paper discusses arguments and reasons for the presence and absence of mathematics education in Iceland through the centuries. The content of mathematics education traditionally concerned trade and prerequisites for university entrance until the 1960s. At that time the OECD channelled to Iceland radical ideas about the content and purpose of mathematics education. At that moment and others, when mathematical education was at crossroads, arguments brought up by influential individuals, referring to fundamental reasons for mathematics education, were of a great importance. The pros and cons of the dependence of Denmark in this respect are also discussed.