Education in a knowledge society
Principles for education in Denmark
Education for all
Provision of high quality education at all levels is essential to ensure competitiveness in today's global society. Thus, Danish education aims to ensure that all young people acquire knowledge and competencies which will qualify them to take active part in – and to contribute to the further development of – the knowledge society. Education is open to all and generally free of charge.
Other characteristic features of the Danish education system include:
• High standards
The quality of Danish education is assured in many ways. It is mainly regulated and financed by the state and all public educational institutions are approved and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
• Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is a key principle in Denmark. The idea goes all the way back to the 19th century Danish clergyman and philosopher N.F.S. Grundtvig, who argued that a prerequisite for active participation in a democratic society is education for all citizens on a lifelong basis.
• Active participation
Treating pupils and students as independent people with a right to form their own opinion and a duty to participate actively in discussions is a matter of course in Danish education.
• Project work
At all levels of the education system, pupils and students attend classes, however, they also carry out project work, either on an individual basis or in small groups. Interdisciplinary activities are also an integrated part of Danish education.
Facts & figures
- Population: 5.4 mil. (2010).
- Percentage of a year group completing a youth education programme: 84.4% (2009).
- Percentage of a year group completing a higher education programme: 46.6% (2009).
- Approximately 55% of those completing a higher education programme are women (2010).
- Percentage of total national expenditure spent on education (incl. SU grants): 15.6% (2009).
