Page 5 - the_danish_education_system

Primary and lower

secondary education

The public system 3. Trust in the school and pupil well-being must
both be enhanced through respect for profes-
The Danish public school – the ”Folkeskole” - is sional knowledge and practice in the public
a comprehensive, integrated municipal school school.
covering primary and lower secondary education
(ISCED 1 and 2) without streaming. Pupils are continuously evaluated. Teachers devel-
op individual learning plans for pupils, which are
In the 2014/2015 school year, 78% of all pupils in updated regularly. National computer-based tests
primary and lower secondary schools attended have been introduced in a number of subjects
the Folkeskole, 16% attended private schools, in grades 2 to 8. Progression to the next grade is
4% attended private residential schools known usually automatic. School-leaving examinations
as ”Efterskoler”, and 2% attended special schools. are taken in grade 9. Moreover, pupils in grade 9
Education is compulsory for ten years starting complete a one week project assignment.
from the year the child turns six. It is education
itself that is compulsory, not schooling.
Other possibilities
Apart from the compulsory grades 0 to 9, the
Folkeskole also has an optional grade 10. In the Parents may choose a private school for their
2014/2015 school year, 51% of pupils having at- children. Private schools are self-governing insti-
tended grade 9 also attended grade 10. tutions required to measure up to the standards
of public schools.
The average number of pupils per class in the
Folkeskole is 21.4, while the figure for private There are many different types of private schools
schools is 18.1 (2014/2015). and some are based on a specific philosophy, a
special pedagogical approach or a religious belief.
According to the Folkeskole Act, schools must
provide pupils with subject-specific qualifications Continuation schools - Efterskoler - are private
and prepare them for further education. More- residential schools for pupils in grades 8 to 10. In
over, schools should prepare pupils for their role addition to normal subjects, emphasis in these
as citizens in a democratic society. The Folkeskole schools is typically on social learning and fields
builds on the principle of differentiated teaching. such as sports, music, nature or ecology.
Teaching is organised so it strengthens and devel-
ops interests and qualifications while catering for Private schools receive a substantial state subsidy
the needs of the individual pupil. It also aims at based on the number of pupils in these schools.
developing pupils’ cooperative skills.
There are three national goals for public schools
in order to support and develop their strengths
and academic standards:

1. The public school must challenge all pupils to
reach their full potential.
2. The public school must lower the significance
of social background on academic results.

3