EDUCATIONAUTUMN2022 PEXELS
Private and cheap
Fromeducation.daycare through to university (pages 14-15), the future of our children are seen and heard across this land, paramount in the thinking of the national psyche. ABOUT CHILDREN
Huge commitment Given its reputation, the dilemma faced by international parents is whether they should keep their children in the Danish education system or send them to an international school instead (see page 6).
WYONKIMDENMARK/VISIT
A COUNTRY THAT CARES
In truth, though, the latter isn’t always true. A new generation never read them and regard print newspapers as a relic of the past, a bit like the way we used to remember handsetting and typesetting.
On pages 8-9, we speak to the new CIS director, Tim Veale, about his vision for the future of a school that others look to as the trailblazer of educational excellence in 21st century Denmark. Daycare pioneer But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as Denmark is also a pioneer in daycare, with more and more countries waking up to the way their institutions (see page 4) have given ‘play’ a central role in preschool education, helping the youngsters to develop empathy and teamwork.
As internationals, therefore, you might be better advised sending your child to an English-speaking school, because as our article on page 6 remarks: “Whether it’s the length of the school day, the existence of homework, the syllabus or the quality of the teachers, it’s fair to say that in the ten years it takes to complete, the system barely resembles the one your child started.”
On page 5, our British columnist Conrad Molden, himself a father of two children under the age of six, takes a light-hearted look at Danish childcare, but amid the mirth are some wonderful insights that are worth celebrating.
An added incentive is that Denmark is home to some of the cheapest international schools in the whole world, which is crazy when you consider the high cost of living in this country. And that brings us full circle back to CIS, which nobody disputes is the best international school in Denmark.
While it is also the most expensive, remember that thanks to the government subsidy of 73 percent, you are getting enormous value for money.
From the outside, he observes, the institutions tend to look like a grandmother’s home. And were the paedogues not full-grown adults, it would be difficult to know who’s in charge, such is the relaxed vibe.
There is a huge commitment to education here. Denmark currently spends 7.8 percent of its GDP on education, compared to just between 4.2 and 5.4 percent in the likes of Italy, France, Spain and Germany. But right now, the public school system (page 7) is in a bit of a quagmire. One of the parties that backed the 2013 Education Bill, the legislation that sets the curriculum, wants to rip the whole thing up and move the goalposts again after the next election.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE2 INTRODUCTION
Key decisions ahead So hopefully our special edition dedicated to Education will give you plenty to chew on while you make key decisions regarding your children’s formative years. One thing we can all agree on is that you’re in one of the world’s best countries for
Rooms are acclimatised to get the most out of their students, who only have to look out of the windows at the stunning views to get fresh inspiration for their essay on photosynthesis – a process that sounded utterly dead in 1970s classrooms, but is thriving at a school like CIS where sustainability engulfs every pore.
Just to spell it out, the parents of the cheapest international schools in Denmark are paying 25,000 kroner a year for an education that is actually worth close to 100,000 kroner, while CIS parents are paying approximately 132,000 for an education worth 580,000 kroner.
Being a teacher is a bit like being a journalist. Everyone is invariably an expert. After all, we all went to school, and we’ve all read a newspaper.
21st century school Well, welcome to the future and Denmark’s most modern educational establishment: Copenhagen International School.
A quick walk around their seaside premises, which jut into the often raging water off Nordhavn, will blow your mind.
The upside is that they don’t pass on unwelcome advice. Education, on the other hand, is something everyone has an opinion on. After all, it hasn’t really changed much … or has it?
On pages 18-19, we’re once again proud to share some of the observations of Jessica Alexander, the author of ‘The Danish Way of Parenting: what the happiest people in the world know about raising confident, capable kids’, which has been published in 28 countries so far. The world is catching up!
If parents want their child to attend an approved private daycare centre, they may be able to obtain a financial subsidy to pay for the place. There is also the possibility of obtaining an aided-place subsidy if the parental income is below a certain level.
DAYCARE FACILITIES
The local authority is obliged to provide facilities for any child aged 26 weeks and up to school age. These can be organised in various ways – either as local-authority child-minding, local-authority daycare centres, independent daycare centres, private child-minding, or an approved private daycare centre. When a child is admitted to a daycare facility through local authority allocation, the local council subsidises the cost of the child’s place, and the parents make up the difference. There is also a sibling discount if more than one child in a household is in the same institution.
The daycare institutions where infants evolve into model citizens Pre-school education can cost an average annual salary in some countries. For many internationals, therefore, it is with unbridled joy that they learn that 50 percent of the costs of the vuggestue, daycare for infants up to the age of three, are subsidised by the local municipality. Suddenly the twos are more tired-out than terrible!
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE4 UNDER-6S
CHILD-MINDING IN PRIVATE HOMES
DAYCARE CENTRES These are institutions such as crèches, nursery schools and age-integrated institutions. They cater for children from birth to school age. They can either be run by the local authority or by private Independentindividuals. daycare centres are owned and run by private individuals under the terms of an agreement with the local authority. They are subject to local authority supervision and receive subsidies from the local authority to cover its costs.
Approved private daycare centres must be licensed by the local authority. However, the centres themselves decide who to admit and children are not referred to them by the local authority. They also receive a local authority subsidy per child. In agreement with the local authority, daycare centres can be operated as outsourced daycare centres. These institutions must comply with the same requirements as the local authority daycare centres.
1. The comprehensive personal development of the child 2. Social competencies
The development of the child is prioritised very highly, so as well as providing a safe environment for childcare, the institutions co-operate with parents to support the development of the individual’s selfesteem. All children under the age of six are legally entitled to attend a daycare facility.
3. Language 4. Body and motion 5. Nature and natural phenomena
A number of institutions offer Englishlanguage daycare. Below is a selection:
The subsidy then rises to around 70 percent once they head to the børnehave (typically 2.5-3.5), where they stay until they are six.
In the local-authority regime, child-minding takes place in a private home and a childminder can take care of up to five children. Children are assigned to individual childminders by the local authority. If two or more child-minders work together, they may be permitted to look after up to ten children. There are also private child-minders whose work is governed by an operating agreement between them and the local authority. The local authority subsidises the individual child and supervises the scheme.
6. Cultural expressions and values
INTERNATIONAL OPTIONS
Børnebyen Vandværket, which is near Vesterport Station, offers nursery (0-3) to 12 children and kindergarten (3-6) care to 24.
Idrætsinstitutionen Bavnehøj, which is the Sydvest district near Enghavevej, offers kindergarten care with a focus on physical education to 24 children.
Sunrise International Preschool on Norgesmindevej in Hellerup caters to children aged 2-6 at a location that is respectful to other people, animals and the environment. Stepping Stone on Ehlersvej in Hellerup is located in a charming manor house it offers a ‘home away from home’ to its young charges.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Since 2004, there has been a legal obligation for all daycare facilities to develop and implement an educational curriculum. There are two prongs – one for children up to 2 years old and one for children aged 3 up until they start school. The curriculum sets out the goals for the daycare facility regarding what the children should be learning. It also as describes the methods and activities used to attain these goals and includes a methodology for evaluating the curriculum. Six themes have been highlighted as follows:
The International Montessori School on Dyregårdsvej in Skovlunde is accepting preschool infants (2.5-6) from this autumn (see more on page 5).
WHO SAID THE TWOS WERE TERRIBLE? PIXABAY
Certainly you could find a large pram, as the vuggestue has hundreds of barnevogn, kept in enormous rooms that resemble Victorian-era baby markets. Take your pick from a fresh sea of sleeping babies – just MobilePay if there’s no staff to take your purchase. Virus-killing machines Pedagogues are the most incredible people. I honestly salute them. Not because their job is not good, but because it looks incredibly hard. They work diligently with a crowd of small, noisy, emotional people every day and they keep smiling. That said, you will definitely see some changes over time. When you meet a new pædagogue on day one, they are fresh. Very fresh. Three months into the job and they look like they have just returned from the Roskilde Festival. The pandemic was particularly hard on pedagogues. Everyone else lived in fear, wearing the mundbind and sanitising their hands, but not the pedagogues, even amid the small but potent coughs and sneezes on the frontline. The staff at these institutions have the most incredible natural immune systems, carrying the kinds of viruses that have COVID-19 for breakfast. Who’s afraid of the wet markets of Wuhan when you’ve braved the wet noses of kids in a børnehave. Exits like Mary Poppins
5 OPINION
It’s clear that pædagoger love their jobs but they also love to go home. Danes are generally very good at finishing on time, but pedagogues are the masters. The moment the clock hits the hour, they will drop everything, including a child, and make their way to the exit. I have never seen someone leave a building so quickly. It is like something from a bank heist. If you’re ever talking to a pædagogue in the final minutes leading up to the end of their shift, they will smoothly and expertly shuffle themselves (and you) towards the exit. Getting all of you outside they will seamlessly close the door, a bicycle will appear like magic, and they’ll disappear down the road like a Scandinavian Mary SoPoppins.nexttime you walk past an old building in town, one you always assumed was occupied by a kind old grandmother, stop to take a look inside and see if there isn’t a friendly pedagogue reading Rasmus Klump to a crowd of children with wet noses.
By Conrad Molden
UCN.DK
British nurseries are a lot like prisons. There is a big fence around the outside, a special security door with a code that only parents/staff know, and plenty of cameras. You know when you’re outside a nursery in Britain and, quite frankly, you’re relieved. Mormor rapport In contrast, a Danish vuggestue is a very hyggelig experience. Usually a casual, quaint and unassuming cottage tucked between standard buildings, it will have red bricks, wooden window frames and a bicycle parked outside. From the street you might think you’re just outside the house of a kind old lady: a kind old mormor called Birgitte. It’s only when the front door is open that you realise your mistake. Because Birgitte is not inside, it is full of children – smiling, screaming and running around. This isn’t a grandmother’s home, this is a vuggestue! Tuppence a baby! I have always been amazed by the level of trust in this society, and never more so than at a vuggestue. No cameras, no locks, you could just walk off the street, grab ten children and nobody would notice. Even walking around inside you’re not sure who all the adults are. Are these people pædagoges? Parents? Random strangers from the street? Every institution feels like a mini Freetown Christiania where anyone can just wander in for a warm meal and a place to sleep.
The exposure to different languages, cultures, religions and nationalities will make them knowledgeable far beyond what they learn in the classroom. If your child already speaks two or three languages, the school will give them a chance to flourish.
Going to the local school on your doorstep is convenient. It gives children a sense of belonging to a community, which makes it easier to advance in that environment as an adult. A Danish education tends to be holistic, practical and strong on empathy and crafts. Your children will emerge as well-rounded and more than able at making Christmas decorations and home improvement.
Danish education pros Sending your child to a Danish school will make them Danish – regardless of whether one or both of the parents are internationals. That might sound like opinionated claptrap, but the homogenous nature of the Danes comes from their upbringing. Unless they are sociopathic or chronically shy, they’ll have a strong network of friends for life. Danish people are immensely tolerant because the group is only as strong as the weakest member. Siblinglike bonds are formed with classmates, and they learn to accept each other’s flaws and even like them.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE6 INTERNATIONAL OR PUBLIC?
Forget the 11-plus, this is the six-fuss! Given that you’re reading this, we can assume you’ve opted for Denmark as the country to educate your children in, but the rest of the decisions are up in the air.
By Ben Hamilton
Heading to an overseas university, and potentially one of the world’s top establishments, is de rigueur at an international school. The careers advisors are highly experienced in offering advice on traversing the borders of Denmark.
When you look at the curriculum, you might regret its limitations and assume you’re going to carry on winning Trivial Pursuit games with the family for the rest of your life. Your child’s interests might be more predictable than eclectic – you worry how they will stand out in life and whether their horizons are as limited as their contact pool outside their neighbourhood.
Ahead of you lies a difficult choice, but rest assured: sometimes either choice would have been the right one, and sometimes neither!
A diverse setting will broaden your child’s horizons, but at what cost to the world outside their window? Our educational journeys are beset by crucial decisions that account for the country we were educated in, the schools we went to, the subjects we studied, and the language we were principally educated in?
Overall, with the school’s autonomy as a private establishment and universallyrecognised IB curriculum you can rest assured that the school will deliver the kind of education it promised –regardless of any changes to the political landscape.
Danish education cons Ultimately, if your child is Danish, you might feel that they have not absorbed as much of your country’s culture, idiosyncrasies and humour as you might have liked.
The choice of school and language can be delayed for a while, but eventually a decision needs to be made, as choosing between an education at a Danish-language, free public school or an English-speaking, fee-paying international establishment will have farreaching implications for the rest of your child’s education.
Most Danes tend to have children in Denmark because they enjoyed their experience so much (and because it’s mostly free!).
PIXABAY
INTERNATIONAL OR DANISH: THAT IS THE QUESTION
International education cons Despite the school’s best efforts, the students might feel a little disconnected from their local community – like all the local kids know each other, but they only have friends at school. Long-term friendships are a rarity at international schools where very few pupils last the distance as new students come and go. The upshot, of course, is that children get used to this and get to practise at being personable. Given the international background of most of their friends, many won’t remain in Denmark after graduation, which can be a painful experience. They will of course have lots of social media friends, but they might feel lonely. If they are Danish or half-Danish, going to an international school might make them feel like an outsider in their own country. This could be exacerbated when they travel to their other ‘home country’ and are again treated like they don’t belong. In conclusion We hope you don’t infer we were trying to influence you one way or the other.
International education pros Sending your child to an international school will make them worldly – without even leaving the country. It will expose them to diversity, cementing an openmindedness that will stay with them forever. By the time they finish school, they’ll have an enviable network of friends and contacts all over the world.
The Danish education system is changeable – the goal posts tend to move a lot. Whether it’s the length of the school day, the existence of homework, the syllabus or the quality of the teachers, it’s fair to say that in the ten years it takes to complete, the system barely resembles the one your child started.
This might be the ideal solution for a foreign national living in Denmark who wants an international education for his or her child. There are a number of them around, especially in the Copenhagen Internationalarea.
basic schools are private elementary schools approved by the Ministry of Education and the teaching is in languages other than Danish – either
The international parents you meet are normally split into two groups: the lifers and the expats.
LET LOGIC RULE YOUR DECISION PIXABAY A free, international school lollandkommune Join us lollandinternationalschool.dkAnislandnewcomers.lolland.dkopportunitiesof Quality bilingual education for students aged 6-14
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
The Act also lays down clear rules for parent/school co-operation, and parents are expected to take an active part in their children’s schooling. Schools are obliged to report on pupils’ progress at least twice per However,year. it is the responsibility of the individual municipal boards to determine how schools are to be organised within the legal framework. The boards can also set their own additional objectives for schools. This has the advantage that a child who changes schools will, on the whole, find the new routine similar to the one he or she has been accustomed to.
5 Schools with a particular educational aim (e.g Rudolf Steiner schools)
INTERNATIONAL OR PUBLIC?
For expat couples an international school makes sense, but it can be a hard sell when your partner is Danish
The expats, more likely a couple, will normally opt for an international school for three reasons: again affordability (with the state subsidy, the schools are cheap compared to private options in other countries), networking, and language/ curriculum concerns given their children are likely to continue their schooling elsewhere.
Private schools categories:
1 Small independent schools in rural districts (friskoler)
The lifer, more often than not an individual, will normally opt for the Danish public school system for two reasons: affordability and respecting the wishes of their Danish partner. More than likely they moved to Denmark as a refugee of love and their income is average or lower than average. The result is children who are as Danish as full-blooded peers.
Free and compulsory In Denmark, education is free unless you choose a private school or boarding school. It is also compulsory for everyone between the ages of 6 and 16/17. Whether this occurs in a public school, private school or at home is a matter of individual choice, as long as pre-set standards are met. It is the education itself that is compulsory, not school. The law guarantees a free choice of public schools within the local authority area where you live. However, as in many other countries, some schools have a better reputation than others and can be full or have long waiting lists.
PUBLIC SCHOOL The Danish Public School (Folkeskole) is a comprehensive school consisting of both primary and lower secondary classes. Primary school covers classes 1-6 and lower secondary classes 7-9, with an optional 10th class available in some Thecases.folkeskole is unstreamed and the formation of classes is based on the child’s age and not subject-specific proficiency.
However,establishment.getting into one of the more prestigious ones can be difficult, as the waiting lists are often long.
2 Large independent schools in urban districts (privatskoler)
regardless of the ideological, religious, political or ethnic motivation behind their
Classes usually consist of approximately 21-25 pupils. The Folkeskole is governed by an Act of Parliament which lays down the foundations and objectives governing its activities. The latest, agreed in 2013, is likely to be redrawn after the next election.
3 Religious or Congregational schools
4 Progressive free schools
6 German minority schools
Denmark has a long tradition of private schools encompassing the idea of “a
7 Immigrant schools
All municipal primary and lower secondary schools share a common aim, standard requirements concerning the subjects taught at the specific form levels, standard regulations concerning the so-called Common Objectives for the teaching in the individual subjects, as well as standard regulations concerning the leadership and organisation of the school system.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
You can hardly contend that the new director of Copenhagen International School lacks international pedigree. Since leaving his home in Canada in 1998, Tim Veale has worked at eight international schools across seven countries.
Canadian by birth, an expat by choice, Tim Veale brings a wealth of international experience to the campus
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE8 INTERVIEW
Indeed, what started out as a search for a part-time job in Moscow has turned into a full-blown career, which has taken him across the world from Thailand, the US and Pakistan to Turkey and Germany. A family affair Veale also brings ample links to Denmark to the table. He’s married to a Dane and spent eight rewarding years as the founding director of the Esbjerg International School from Now,2009-2017.he’sback – this time assuming the reins at the most prestigious international school in the country.
IT’S THE VEALE DEAL FOR CIS! PIXABAY
By Christian Wenande
Earlier this week, Veale sat down with CPH Post to talk a bit about himself, international education and his already considerable connection to Denmark. You grew up in Vancouver but left in 1998 and never looked back. How did you get into a career in education abroad? I had an opportunity to go to Russia or China and I figured that, being a hockeyplaying nation, Russia appealed to me. I studied Russian at Moscow State University and ended up finding a parttime job at the Anglo-American School in the Russian yellow pages as playground teacher. Because they had staggered recesses, I was out on the playground for hours in the middle of the Russian winter with temperatures down to -25 degrees. I played a lot of soccer in the snow with the kids, stayed warm and had a blast. It was a good opportunity to get my foot in the door of international schooling. An assistant’s job came up and I did some substitute teaching, after which I decided that this was what I wanted to do with my career. You’ve been on quite a journey since then. International schools in Thailand, Pakistan, the US and Turkey, to mention a few. And it’s not your first rodeo in Denmark either. I had this opportunity in Esbjerg to start an international school. We had six kids when it began and 300 with waiting lists when I left. It was an incredible opportunity and learning experience about how to run a school and start it from scratch. I was there for eight years before leaving for the US and then Hamburg. Then this opportunity at CIS came up and it was hard not to throw my name in the hat. I was really fortunate to get it. You’ve worked for almost 25 years at numerous international schools. How has that helped shape you in becoming a school leader? It’s shaped me enormously. Regular life circumstances happen, whether you’re living as a local in your home country or as an expat in different countries. Life happens and you learn to adapt to the lifestyle. I probably didn’t realise until I was a few countries in, not only WHAT I was learning along the way, but THAT I was learning. You don’t realise how much you are learning at the time, and that can be the case with the best kind of learning in the classroom with our students as well. When they are just doing their thing, enjoying what they’re doing and are engaged, the learning is just kind of coincidental. And that’s probably what the case was for me in the first half of my career. During the second half I became much more aware of what I was learning and how it was shaping me. I suppose the pandemic has presented challenges in relation to your work? It’s been especially difficult for a lot of people, but one of the things that came up for me was that we need to take care of ourselves and look out for others in a way that wasn’t happening at the same scale that I think it is now – especially in schooling around the world. So this is something that I’ve learned has a lot of importance in my position as director. One of my many roles is to help take care of other people and I take that responsibility very seriously. But I learned that I also have to take better care of myself because if I’m not well, it’s hard to ensure I can support others in that way. Did your stint in Esbjerg influence your return to Denmark? Absolutely. I had an amazing experience there. The people are fantastic, the community is really tight, but at the same time welcoming. I have nothing but good memories from my experience there. The opportunities I had in Esbjerg gave me a chance to cut my teeth in international school leadership in a way that I didn’t get prior to that. I was on my way, but it was my first senior level experience. I’m really proud of what we all accomplished together in achieving the growth of that school. You’ve never deviated from the international school sector during your career. What’s the reason behind that? It’s given me the opportunity to live in a unique way that, at the scale it is now, hasn’t been available to any group of people in history. Since the end of the Cold War, the middle classes have grown around the world and consequently the demand for international education has risen as expatriate numbers increased. There’s
The International School of Hellerup is a Not-For-Profit IB World School with over 600 students representing more than 70 nationalities from around the world.
You got your Master’s in 2008 and you’re currently working on a PhD. What’s behind this seemingly insatiable thirst for knowledge?
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LifeGlobal-EducationGlobal-MindsetlobalG We welcome students from ages 3 to 19 We offer the full continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: PYP, MYP and DP, as well as Pre-K We deliver an excellent, well-rounded education in a caring and supportive learning environment We offer exciting trips, extra-curricular activities and many more activities beyond the classroom We have Morning Club and After School Care We are affordable and offer scholarships Our teachers are passionate and highly qualified We pride ourselves on fostering reflective and purposeful learners, as well as responsible global citizens We are considerate, form warm relationships, and build and nurture our ISH Community Find out more about ISH, book a visit or contact us at 20 63 68 I info@ish.dk I www.ish.dk International Baccalaureate World School
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE 9 more trade and so there is more demand for the language of trade , which is English. It’s allowed me to experience insights that otherwise wouldn’t be available to me if I had stayed home in Canada. We have students from over 70 countries. You can’t get that from working in public school. It’s been pretty cool for me to have lived in all these countries, travel near and around them and have friends there now. That feels pretty special to me. I also know from colleagues from other schools that there can be a common theme of reverse culture shock – people having difficulty going back to their home countries.
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I love asking questions and learning by observing, and if I’m not feeling challenged, I start to feel restless and my feet get itchy. But it has also allowed me to put some theory behind what I was trying to do in practice. So there is a lot of learning-by-doing there, and it very much came to the fore when I was the founding head of school at Esbjerg International School. I realised that there were gaps in the knowledge that I had acquired, even with the Master’s. So this PhD option came up and I realised it was an opportunity to further my learning. It gave me more, not only theory, but practical support to take it to the next level. It’s been excellent preparation for me to lead schools better than I’d previously known how. These days, the IB is the cornerstone of many international schools around the world, CIS included. What’s the upside of that? Well, I got to the point where, both as a parent and a professional, I didn’t want to work in any school other than an IB school. My past few schools have been IB schools for that reason. I’ve got two kids in this school – aged 5 and 15 – so as a parent it means a lot to me that they get an IB education. The reason for this is that it is subject to peer review ... and that drives self-improvement. Anyone who works at an IB school with a certain level of experience and qualifications can become part of the official peer-review process. IB schools focus much more on process than product, which differentiates it so much from so many other learning programs. If you get the process right, the outcomes usually take care of themselves. It teaches reflection, which is probably the most powerful tool we as adults use to teach ourselves what it is we have to learn as we prepare students for life-long learning. The IB has us teaching students how to reflect. Not only how, but that they HAVE to reflect. And when they are reflecting, they become cognisant and ask themselves questions after having done something. What did I learn? The process of doing is important, but it’s what follows that I think will drive their life-long learning. What does Mr Tim Veale do outside of running the school and rustling through PhD papers? I’m into fitness and for me that takes on a various forms. I play men’s league ice hockey. I haven’t found a team here yet, but I fully intend to. It’s a good outlet for me. It’s been a way for me to learn Danish as well. In Esbjerg, for instance, the guys on the team could all speak English, but we agreed that they wouldn’t do so in order to help me plod along with Danish. Otherwise, I do some running and cycling to try to maintain fitness. It goes back to taking care of myself.
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Having spent over a quarter of a century working at international schools, have you seen much change in the scene over the years? I’ve seen a big change. There are a lot more local students attending the international schools and I think that trend is only going to continue. The classic international schools often started in a capital city, as CIS did, and largely served children of embassy staff largely hailing from western countries. That’s changing and as the middle classes grow around the world, local parents in countries are demanding higher quality education for their children. So what’s happening in every country that I’ve worked in is that there is a lot of pressure from local parents on public schools. I’ve seen it in Denmark, the US, Germany and also Canada. Public schools are under pressure as parents have more disposable income to afford private schools for their kids. And there are more international schools than ever before. Since the late ‘90s their number has doubled multiple times, and they are increasingly being attended by local students.
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Of course, this can be arranged on most days, as the schools will always want to attract new students, but Efterskolernes Dag is open house time: the welcome mat is very much beckoning you in, and everything is geared towards giving you a good impression of the school. It’s a chance for parents and prospective students to look around and, who knows, maybe Junior might even run into some future class-mates.
However, it will be necessary to check the individual website of every efterskole on the wish list to ensure they are open when you Somevisit.of the schools will divide the day into time intervals and require you to sign up for a specific time.
Whilst in the classroom they have the opportunity to vastly improve their proficiency in a language (across the country, a wide range is offered) or a subject not hugely focused on at public school, such as history, science and geography.
PIXABAY
By Ben Hamilton
The children are expected to spend the entire week at the efterskole, but are free to leave over the weekend. However, most require them not to leave for the first fortnight, whilst foregoing their mobile phones, in order to embed them into the style of living.
Catering to specifics
Others cater to those with learning difficulties, with 18 set up for students with special needs and 20 for dyslexic students.
Every year, around 30,000 teenagers in Denmark choose to go to an efterskole, and there is plenty of choice for internationals Harry Potter famously catches the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 and three quarters, and John Cusack’s character in ‘Being John Malkovich’ finds work on the seventh-and-a-half floor, but did you know that Denmark has its own fractional curiosity.
And there are plenty of different language options. Some schools provide all their tuition in English and others offer bilingual programmes or cultural programmes designed in a wide range of languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Romanian and Hungarian.
Remember that there will be other times to visit, but that no day in the year affords you the chance to visit as many on one car journey. But if you fail to find the ideal school on Efterskolernes Dag, it may be possible to go on a 24-hour trial course to experience efterskole life before committing to a longer stay.
GRADE NINE AND A HALF
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE10 EFTERSKOLE
International choices A good handful are international, while many others are open to foreign students, and some even have international departments.
While the specialisation of the efterskole might sound amazing on paper, visiting the actual school might change your mind. This is potentially one of the most pivotal moments of your child’s life – a time to blossom, for many – and no choice could be more important. Plot your route carefully On Efterskolernes Dag 2021, all schools will be open from 13:00 until 17:00, so you’ll need to make sure you plan carefully to fit all your visits into a four-hour window.
Some efterskoles specialise in helping students to catch up – particularly latedevelopers, or other children, who have not done so well within the established school system.
Why September 26 is big! There is no better time to discover more than on Efterskolernes Dag on September 26. No, Efterskolernes Dag is not an apocalyptic thriller in which education ceases to exist. Instead it is a day when it is possible to find out more about the uniquely Danish educational establishment by visiting one in person.
Immersive experience
Every year, around 30,000 students in Denmark embark on their ninth and a half grade – a full year of both academic and vocational pursuits – at one of the country’s 250 independent boarding schools. The majority of the ‘efterskoler’ are recent public school leavers aged 1617, but some can be as young as 14.
Parents and students accordingly plot zigzagging routes across the country in order to take in as many as possible.
The self-governing institutions vary wildly in size from 25 to 500 students, although most of them have a minimum of around 100 Unlikestudents.regular schools, the relationship between teacher and student is far closer, as they are together all day – and part of the night if the students behave like Harry and his friends!
There is a far wider choice of academic subjects, although these vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious or pedagogical orientation, and since the 1980s some schools have specialised in specific areas, such as sport or music, or catering to students with particular needs, such as those with dyslexia or even latedevelopers.
Parents not used to being apart from their children have ample access to the supervisory teachers, who are likely to make telephone calls to update them on progress or discuss issues.
Children can regain their confidence in themselves in a protective and social environment and become motivated to continue their education.
For more information regarding courses and the subsidies available to students, consult efterskole.dk/en.
The students are encouraged to take part in many activities outside their academic pursuits, learning and enhancing life-long skills in sport, cooking, boardgames and maybe even music and drama.
While the fees will set back parents between 50,000 and 100,000 kroner for the full year depending on their financial situation, there are also substantial state subsidies to ensure the year is one the students will never forget.
Trust your instincts Choosing a specialised efterskole could prove to be an inspired choice, but be careful that it is not a passing fad. Trust your instincts. After all, you’re their parent; nobody knows them better. Maybe this is an unnecessary delay in their education.
The benefits are numerous, but it’s also easy to stumble Before you book your rail tickets or hire one of those super-cool electric cars to check out some potential efterskoles, maybe it’s worth considering whether it really is the right choice for your child.
Additionally, thanks to the relaxed discipline they will develop self-motivation much earlier than most Europeans, who are pretty much told what to do at school up until university. Most will finish the year with more confidence, maturity and certainty in what they want to achieve in the future.
Furthermore, taking on the challenge of starting alone, after ten years of close friendships at public school, will be invaluable as the world opens up to them and they are called to do it again and again. Otherwise, they run the risk of leading a life stifled by their surroundings.
EFTERSKOLE: PROS AND CONS PIXABAY
By Ben Hamilton
Don’t follow the herd There are cons, though, and here are just a few of them. Be careful not to choose an efterskole because your child’s friends are going there. Make sure it is the right fit for the student, or they’ll potentially become unhappy.
Just plain wrong
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE 11
People of privilege Going to a private school is often described as a privilege, and efterskole is exactly that.
Attending boarding school is a unique experience, and it is one they are likely to treasure for the rest of their lives. For some parents, it is a chance to really root their child in Danishness – they are after all pretty much the happiest people in the world.
And who knows, maybe you’ll end up missing them at a time when it might not feel natural to be apart for so long. Or worse still, as an international parent, discover that after ten and a half months of ingrained Danishness that they’ve started writing and singing their own folk songs, talking to the Dannebrog like it’s an imaginary friend and, horror of horrors, started wearing a klaphat.
It could just be the wrong environment: from sleeping in close proximity to others (“They have to be Venetian blinds”) to having to cook (“I can make beans on toast!”), it might end up being a nightmare (“I miss my Mummmmy!!!!”).
After all, while 30,000 children attend one every year, pretty much the same number don’t. And beyond the affordability – as for some families, the cost can be too high – there must be other reasons!
If your child has always been fast-track, do they really want to end up starting university at the age many are already completing their bachelor.
Let’s start with the pros As teenagers, we are at our most impressionable. Passions, once ignited, burn brighter, and many of us end up embarking on life-long journeys: of the heart as well as Manyvocationally!willdiscover what they were meant to do, while others will realise their dreams of being a rock star or MVP in the NBA should remain just that. For others, it will be a chance to catch up or increase their confidence: from late developers to those with special needs, it will be a year well spent. Time to mature But perhaps even more important, this will be their first step into adulthood.
Learning to look after themselves – whether it is cooking, cleaning or nutritionally – will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
Our goal is to enable all to understand the world around them, and the talents and character within them, so that they can become connected, creative individuals that are compassionate, active global citizens.
Also consider the nature of your child’s relationship with the friend/friends they are ‘following’ – is it one-sided and likely to go a bit pear-shaped?
EFTERSKOLE
sktjosefs.com values Global Perspectives critical thinkingcreativityambitionleadershipcommunitylifeskills Skt. Josef’s International School Frederiksborgvej 10, Roskilde tel: +45 4635 2526 DEVELOPINGCHARACTER
And it’s also a chance to root out any homesickness ahead of the inevitable move abroad to study or work, which many choose as a rite of passage.
3.serviceFood,
Each of the programs has a range of compulsory subjects. Additionally, in STX, HHX and HTX, each school offers a number of specialised studies packages normally containing three subjects and offers elective subjects for students to choose between. In HF, students choose from among the elective subjects offered by the individual school. All the programs contain multi-subject courses which serve to strengthen students’ preparedness for further study.
The STX and HF programs consist of a broad range of subjects in the humanities, natural science and social sciences, whereas the HHX program focuses on business and socio-economic disciplines, in combination with foreign languages and other general subjects. The HTX program is focused on technological and scientific subjects, in combination with general subjects.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
1.
THE CHOICE AHEAD
These four programs prepare young people for higher education and ensure that they acquire a general education, knowledge and competences by means of the subjects they study and through the interaction between them.
CHOICE OF FOUR The 3-year Upper Secondary School Leaving Examination (STX) The 3-year Higher Commercial Examination
It’s never too late to get an education is the sort of adage you might expect somebody like Benjamin Franklin to have said, but no, it was nobody famous. Nevertheless, is it true? Theoretically, of course it is, but sometimes reality bites. Sometimes, to get an education we need an education. It’s not fanciful to imagine that we might have opted to leave school at 16 to take an apprenticeship, and then, by the time we’re 30 and eyeing a degree to further our career, we realise we need the equivalent of a high school diploma to qualify. This is why the decision we take when we finish elementary schooling at the age of 15-17 is probably the most important one we will ever take on our educational journey.
To be admitted to one of the three-year upper secondary education programs (STX, HHX, HTX), students must have completed nine years of Danish basic education or have received corresponding teaching and have taken the primary and lower secondary school compulsory final Forexamination.HF,astudent must have completed ten years of Danish basic education and have taken examinations in Danish, English, mathematics, a second foreign language (French or German) and physics/ Ifchemistry.forsome reason a student has not taken the required examinations for admission to STX/HHX/HTX or HF, an admission test can also be taken. Students who have not attended a Danish school can be admitted following a concrete assessment as to whether their qualifications correspond to those required by students who have attended a Danish school. They may also be required to take an admission test.
STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER EDUCATION
The(HHX)3-year Higher Technical Examination
UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION
The needs and wishes of the students are taken very seriously and they have the right to form a student council and are also represented on the school board. The school must also ensure that students are involved in the planning of class Schoolsteaching.are obliged to provide academic guidance and guidance on higher education and careers.
The(HTX)2-year Higher Preparatory Examination (HF) VET PROGRAMS: FOUR MAIN SUBJECT AREAS Care, health and pedagogy Administration, commerce and business agriculture and hospitality Technology, construction and transportation VS TRUE VOCATION
4.
FURTHER EDUCATION
Students can take several different routes at this level and there are four academically-orientated programs available (see factbox).
2.
PIXABAY
By Stephen Gadd
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE12 FURTHER EDUCATION
Upper secondary education typically starts at the end of full-time compulsory education and caters for students aged 16-19. Unless a private school is chosen, it is free of charge. At present there are 18 international uppersecondary schools in Denmark offering the International Baccalaureate (IB). A prerequisite is that the international course offered must be able to provide access to higher education in Denmark.
Free Danish Education at Studieskolen For over 40 years, Studieskolen has been helping foreigners learn Danish, obtain good jobs and secure a good life in Denmark. Read more about your possibilities at studieskolen.dk. TAKE YOUR FREE DANISH EDUCATION AT STUDIESKOLEN
MASTER YOUR FUTURE – HIGHER
Choosing a school Key point: Some universities specialise in specific fields whilst others offer a variety of programs.
PIXABAY
It’s no secret that higher education is neither cheap nor free in many parts of the world. And within the European Union, it’s a mixed bag of free and paid-for education.
The specific documents required for an application will vary depending on the school and program requirements. STADS is not the most user friendly platform – allow yourself plenty of time when setting up a new application. Furthermore, do not leave it until the last minute to send an application – deadline days are notorious for online queuing and portal failure. In fact, for September admissions, try to apply by March. For schools that operate a second February, intake will often expect applications by mid-October.
By Edward Owen
Via STADS you will select the university and study program from a list to create a new application. You can make more than one application during each intake.
The application process Key point: Don’t wait until the last minute to Mostapply.universities will direct your application to the same online portal: ‘STADS’. This is operated by the Ministry of Education, not the Youuniversities.shouldregister and obtain a log-in as soon as possible.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE14 HIGHER EDUCATION
Once you are enrolled and are studying, you will continue to use STADS to view grades, apply for exams and carry out any other administration.
Financial support Key point: International EU students should look for part-time work in order to receive financial support. Some foreign citizens may be entitled to State Education Support (SU) when studying. There are a number of different ways that you may qualify, and these generally fall under two categories: Equal status according to Danish rules and Equal status according to EU law. The typical stipulation to be aware of as an EU student is the ongoing requirement that you must be working part-time, 10-12 hours EDUCATION IN DENMARK
Furthermore, even programs taught in English can be tailored to the Danish job market. As such, you need to be aware of your trajectory before you embark on a Inprogram.Denmark, if you have gone to university, it is the norm to study through to master’s level. This is often referred to as a ‘long .education’
Denmark offers not only free education to EU citizens, but also has an excellent range of choice with programs taught in English – especially at master’s level. Non-EU citizens are required to pay tuition, and the amount varies greatly depending on the institution and the program of study. However, there is still a good chance to make significant savings in comparison to studying somewhere like the UK, where prices start at 80,000 kroner per year. In comparison, programs can be found in Denmark for approximately half the amount. With more than 22,000 international students in Denmark, you certainly won’t be Ouralone.step-by-step guide to higher education in Denmark is an introduction to all of the things you need to consider to really know your options.
Whilst all of the major universities offer postgraduate programs taught in English, the same option for undergraduate programs could sometimes be described as limited. If you are starting with an undergraduate program, see the factbox for a brief description of each school.
First things first, you need to find a course and a university that is right for you. Nationally there are eight universities. Within the Copenhagen area alone you will find six of these institutions within a reasonable commuting distance, although it is also not unheard of for Copenhagen-based students to travel to SDU in Odense.
Think ahead Key point: Check the program’s content against the job market If you plan to stay in Denmark or not, you should investigate how you will be able to apply your studies once you have graduated. Do this before enrolling. The most important thing at this point is not only to think about what you would ‘like’ to do, but also to understand the potential job Themarket.Danish job market is competitive and rather keen on overt compatibility between your studies, experience and the role you may be applying for.
• Specialty/focus: Offers a variety of programs within humani ties, humanistic technologies, social science and science
• Postgraduate: A good number available taught in English UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK (SDU)
AALBORG UNIVERSITY (AAU)
ROSKILDE (RUC)
• Undergraduate: A good number available taught in English (mostly engineering, business, social sciences)
FACEBOOK/CBSCIS HIGHER EDUCATION
• Speciality/focus: Offers a variety of programs in different subject areas
• Undergraduate: Over 70 bachelors but just a handful taught in English
•
• Specialty/focus: Offers a variety of programs in different subject areas Undergraduate: All bachelors are taught in Danish
•EnglishPostgraduate: A wide range of master’s programs are available in English
• Specialty/focus: Information technology and the digital world
• Specialty/focus: Offers a variety of programs in different subject areas
• Specialty/focus: Technical and natural sciences. Undergraduate: Offers a small number of bachelor programs with only one taught in Master’s level programs are taught exclusively in English.
IT UNIVERSITY (ITU)
• Undergraduate: A good number available taught in English
COPENHAGEN BUSINESS SCHOOL (CBS)
Staying in Denmark
• Postgraduate: Approximately 200 variants are available with more than half taught in English.
• Undergraduate: Offers four programs. Two of these are taught in Danish, while the other two require ‘academic’ Danish language skills (see university webpage for definition)
AALBORG UNIVERSITY – COPENHAGEN (AAU – CPH)
THE COPENHAGENUNIVERSITIESUNIVERSITY (KU)
Universities usually have an SU office that can help you. Visit su.dk to find out more.
Also, join a professional union while you are still a student. These are very common in Denmark and your background will dictate which one you should join. Your union can help negotiate terms of employment and advise you on matters such as salary. As a student, you will receive a discounted rate of membership for both of these things. They can offer many services to help during your career.
Key point: If you plan on staying in Denmark you need to join an a-kasse and a Joinunion.ana-kasse while you are still a student. If you do not have a job immediately after graduation, you can receive financial support whilst you apply for positions.
• Undergraduate: Just a handful of bachelors taught in
• Specialty/focus: Takes an international perspective on a broad range of subjects with a business focus Undergraduate: Many taught in English Postgraduate: Mostly taught in English
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE 15 per week, and at least 43 hours per month, for which you will need a CPR number.
•
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK (DTU)
•
• Postgraduate: A wide range of master’s programs are available in English
•English.Postgraduate:
• Postgraduate: Five programs available – all but one are taught exclusively in English.
• Postgraduate: A wide range of master’s programs are avail able in English
AARHUS UNIVERSITY (AU)
• Specialty/focus: Offers a variety of programs in different subject areas
•
• As above – primary Aalborg campus
is a great sport for newbies to Copenhagen, as with all the waterways, it’s undoubtedly a great way to see the city. Try kayakrepublic.dk!
Don’t forget that networking is important in Denmark. Whether it’s getting a job or a flat, very often, the Danish decision maker will chose someone from their social circle. Adult learning can provide a fast track into Danish society. And of course it also provides the chance to learn something.
For some truly hardcore, Nordic-style whipping into shape, you can train with the Nordic Race Team to take on an intense 5 km obstacle course. Find out more at nordicrace.dk Among the alternative sports out at Reffen, try out some bouldering with urbanrangercamp.dk.
By Ester Rose
SPECIALISING IN SPORTS If you are looking for some type of sports activity, there is genuinely something for everyone, from yoga to bouldering, kayaking, running and so much more.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE16 ADULT EDUCATION
Don’t cry salt tears … as there’s an army of adult learning options at your Besides,disposal. if you are just landing in Copenhagen, you’re probably looking for fun things to do and ways to get to know people in your new city. Whether it is to improve your work skills, get in shape, make local friends, or just avoid sitting home alone all weekend, joining some type of adult learning activity could be just the thing.
So, you’ve finished higher education and, just like poor old Alexander of Macedonia, there are no more worlds to conquer.
FOR THE ATTENTION OF NIGHT OWLS PIXABAY
DEDICATED TO DANCE If dancing is your thing, there are many options in the Copenhagen area. Here are a couple ideas and spots to get you Anstarted.all-time favourite is of course salsa. One school that offers instruction in English is salsalibre.dk where you can take classes several days a week. Soffie.dk is a good site to find out about options for couples – particularly in
Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years with places popping up everywhere. We recommend the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School Kayaking(yoga.dk).
THE FIRST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN DENMARK FOLLOWS THE CHILD ADVERTORIAL
WALK DOWN SUSTENANCE STREET
While fof.dk is also regularly updated with options. Qualify with quality To improve your professional skills, Copenhagen’s universities, cbs.dk and ku.dk, provide night school for adults.
Why can’t children explore and cultivate their own subject interests – in a safe environment where the teacher supports the child’s learning but doesn’t dictate? This philosophy is at the core of what the International Montessori School is about. The school opened its doors on 8 August, with spacious rooms in Skovlunde in Ballerup, and the school still has a few available places for children aged 6-12 years.
While daea.dk is an international organisation focused on adult learning. Danish regulations on higher education are quite specific. If you are missing some earlier education, FVU, AVU, HF and AMU are aimed at those who have not completed an elementary or high school level education.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE 17 ballroom and salsa. For kids, meanwhile, elstudio.dk offers quite a variety of classes. You can also find swing dance at happyfeetstudio.dk or street dance at gamedenmark.org. And for pro dancers look no further than at cph-dance.com.
There are mixed feelings about the local Danish food. Of course, like everywhere, some dishes are an acquired taste. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give all the signature Nordic foods a try. If you are up for a walking food tour, opt for foodsofcopenhagen.com. Relax, walk around the capital and let the company introduce you to some hidden gem culinary experiences. Or go on a food crawl, from one eatery to another on a bike Copenhagencom/culinary-bike-tour)(foodsofcopenhagen.foratrueexperience. Inspire your intellect Copenhagen’s universities are the top spots for workshops, lectures and debates. Check out ku.dk and cbs.dk for their schedules. For more casual affairs try folkehusetabsalon.cph and studieskolen. dk, while ihcph.kk.dk is a good resource for culture spots in Copenhagen.
PIXABAYCIS ADULT EDUCATION
More About the Montessori Method Everyday life in a Montessori school is exciting and meaningful and makes children want to go to school. Performance anxiety disappears as the children are not tested and they are together across age groups. Each child learns at the level he/she is at right now. Older children support the younger children in using the materials. Such ‘peerbased’ learning reduces dependence on the authority (the teacher) and provides a sense of significance and community for the children. At the school, new citizens of the world are formed: democracy, respect for others, peace education, and independence are central to the children’s everyday life. The method has existed 100 years and is recognized globally. Research shows children benefit with: - Focus, self-discipline and confidence - Long-term psychological health and well-beingAhigh academic level - Independent and creative thinking - Compassion and respect for fellow human beings Read more: montessorischool.dk Contact: info@montessorischool.dk or +4540296909
PARENTING: MORE THAN A PASTIME With increasing numbers of parents seeking to hone their mum and dad skills, phabsalon.dk provides courses on early learning, child development, creativity and more. For parents dealing with the big adjustments of getting started in a whole new environment and country, copenhagenpsycology.dk offers support and consultation.
Of course it all starts with a pregnancy and a whole swoop of new, weird and exciting firsts that it brings. For general info, jordemoderhuset.com gives classes in both Danish and English, as does prismen.kk.dk And as expecting mums who want to stay in shape, yogamudra.dk and yogaflat.com can take you safely through your workout.
Cooking is definitely trending at the moment, and meyersmadkurser. dk provides classes, lectures and Aremasterclasses.youamusician? You can find one-onone tuition on just about every instrument with just a simple search on expat.com. Internationalcommunity.dk provides a long list of hobbies as well as a questionnaire if you are looking to try something new and don’t quite know what will fit you best.
What is unique about the school and the Montessori method? Montessori pedagogy is suitable for both highly gifted children and late bloomers, as it is adapted to the individual child and offers individualized challenges without pressure. Unique educational materials allow children to choose what interests them and to explore new topics. The materials appeal to children’s curiosity, stimulate their learning and creativity, and enable the children to display their special Learningintelligence.atthe school takes place in a safe environment and at children’s own pace in a classroom characterized by calm and concentration, so as to support learning and in a community that works for all the “Followchildren.the child!” is the school’s motto.
HI-YO HOBBY HORSE! It would be impossible to list all the hobbies here, but here are a couple of ideas so that you can carry on with your favourite leisure activity.
LEARNING A NEW LINGO Want to learn a new language? Studieskolen. dk teaches 25 different languages, while Berlitz.dk also provides both group, private and online language tuition. While the largest range of languages available was found at FOF: Arabic, English, Finish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Latin, Old Greek, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Swahili, Thai, Turkish, German and Vietnamese.
With the Danish elections approaching, it struck me how differently America and Denmark view politics and how much this may be tied to our upbringing.
It’s extraordinary to think that by simply focusing on our parenting practices – by teaching more empathy and collaboration, for example – we could drastically change the future of society. There is an expression that ‘when we replace “I” with “we”, even illness becomes wellness’, and this could very well be true for politics as well. It might take another generation or two to challenge the unfettered belief that rugged individualism, being rich and winning isn’t the American Dream, but it starts with parenting and education leading us on a different path. If we raise our children with more empathy, for example, they will be the ones to change the system. Who wins the Danish election or the American presidency next time around is anyone’s guess, but if the US ever wants to top the World Happiness Reports, Denmark might be able to offer some examples we could all learn from.
By Jessica Alexander
Authoritarian parents are strict, quick to punish and low on empathy towards their children. It’s the ‘my way or the highway’ approach. It’s often infused with fear-based tactics to evoke submission. Children are not encouraged to ask why. They are encouraged to do as they are told because Daddy knows best. Authoritarian parenting, like all parenting styles, is often passed down from generation to generation. Let’s consider the Trump Administration, for example. For most Republican voters, Trump’s rhetoric resonated as familiar and perhaps even comforting. He was powerful and often threatening, but many found this appropriate and effective. Even if they didn’t agree with everything he said, truth or lies, as long as he took care of business, they didn’t question his authority, words or actions.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE18 OPINION
Closer in collaboration In Denmark, on the other hand, the prevalent parenting style is based on mutual respect not fear. There is a major focus on teaching empathy to children, and there is a low power differential between people in general. Rules are explained, and children are encouraged to ask questions. Danish parents try to avoid power struggles, ultimatums and ‘I win’ mentalities. It doesn’t matter how rich and powerful you are, it matters more how you treat others and what you stand for as a person.
THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2019
Authoritarian rules In America, there are four basic parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and uninvolved. While we don’t have exact statistics on how common each one is, we do know that the authoritarian style is prevalent.
Moreover, 60 percent of schoolwork in Denmark is done in teams, and collaborating is far more important than competing to be a winner. As way leads on to way, Denmark’s politics reflect this. They have many parties in politics, not just two represented by one candidate as we do in the US. When a party comes into power it must collaborate with other parties and listen to the people or it loses its influence. Again, this is a very clear reflection of the values they grew up with as children.
Taking a quantum leap
Trash bin for troubles I even saw it in the playgrounds. Kids would get upset at a perceived injustice, but as voices were rising and rules hotly debated, a teacher would magically materialise a blue or red button and, like contestants on a game show, the kids would run up and smack the pyt button, before continuing the game seemingly scuffle-free.
“What is that?” I asked a teacher inquisitively one day. “That’s a pyt button,” came the “Isreply.that like the never mind bucket?” I asked. She laughed. “Yes, it’s a similar concept. When kids are annoyed about something, we encourage them to hit the pyt button and let it go.”
Time to be heard The purpose of the klassenstime is for all the students to come together in a comfortable setting to talk about any problems they may be having. Together, the class tries to find a solution. This could be an issue between two students or a group, or even something unrelated to school.
EDUCATION AUTUMN 2022 GUIDE 19 OPINION
middle school teacher at Tingkærskolen in “OurOdense.job as the teacher is to make sure the children understand how and why other people feel the way they do. This way, we come up with a solution together based on real listening and real understanding.” If there are no problems to be discussed, then they simply come together to relax and hygge – the now famous Danish word for cosying around together. Buckets and buttons But what if putting yourself in other people’s shoes isn’t the solution, and you really just need to put something behind you? Some classes are encouraged to write down any problems that are bothering them, fold them or crumple them up, and throw them in a ‘pyt spand’ – a never mind bucket. It was only after I learned about the word ‘pyt’ and the never mind bucket that I started noticing small wooden squares on the walls of many classrooms with blue metal buttons and the word ‘pyt’ written above them.
THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2019
As I was leaving a class one day with a small grievance of my own, I decided to hit the pyt button myself, and I really did feel a little better. We don’t have a word for ‘pyt’ in English, but I think there is something comforting about physically pushing away our troubles or, literally, throwing them away. This doesn’t work for everything of course. It isn’t for life-altering traumas or serious issues. But when you can’t seem to put a small unchangeable problem behind you, try putting it in a ‘pyt’ bucket. You might just find it helps.
By Jessica Alexander
As an author and cultural researcher, I have spent a lot of time in Danish schools studying parenting and education for my books. I’ve especially focused on the ‘Class’s Hour’ (klassenstime), which is a core part of the Danish curriculum that essentially teaches empathy to children aged 6-16 and is generally set for a special time once a week.
“The important thing is that everyone feels heard,” explains Jesper Vang, a
Birkerød Gymnasium , STX, HF, IB & Boarding School has been an IB world school since 1991, offering Pre-IB and the IB Diploma Programme. We have more than 60 nationalities. IB at Birkerød Gymnasium is a unique chance to experience the international atmosphere of the IB-programme as well as the atmosphere of a Danish national school.
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