Facts and Figures

As in several other European countries, the distinction between primary and lower secondary education does not exist in Denmark. Instead, these two levels of education are covered by a single structure called Grundskole, which serves pupils aged 7 to 15. In the state sector (with about 80% of Danish pupils), this structure is called Folkeskole.

Some figures (Source: Statistics Denmark; Reference year: 2007) :

Most teachers in compulsory state education are employed and paid by local authorities. Danish teachers can choose whether or not to undertake in-service training and their career progression is not related to this.

In contrast to France, Spain and the United Kingdom, there is no inspectorate in Denmark.

Governance of the education system

In compulsory education (Grundskole)

Since 2007, the governance of schools for young people aged 6 to 15/16 has been shared between local authorities and the state. This reform arose from the conviction that innovation and quality are fostered by the delegation of powers and duties to schools that are under the responsibility of local authorities, thus creating a minimum of competition between them.

In upper secondary education

Schools are funded directly by the Ministry and have managerial autonomy; the Ministry sets the groundrules within which schools work. These institutions have different histories and different academic profiles. They implement one or more secondary education curricula (general; social and natural sciences; economics and business; science and technology) through grants received from the Ministry based on the number of pupils.

The composition of the Board of Directors of the institution reflects the specific profile of the institution; there are teacher and pupil representatives.