It is the Government’s aim that the education system, from pre-school to higher education, ensures that all young people receive a high-quality education and a solid foundation for engaging in lifelong education. The education system should also contribute to fostering a learning culture that promotes creativity, independence and responsibility. There must be cohesion between the various education pathways and levels such that the individual can obtain qualifications and competences. The Government has set the following specific goals for all levels of the education system– from pre-school to university level higher education.
Pre-school
- All children should have a good start in school.
- Language assessment for all children at the age of three and again at the age of six when they start pre-school.
- Compulsory education to be extended from nine to ten years of schooling by pre-school class being made an obligatory part of the municipal primary and lower secondary school.
- Curricula to be drawn up in all daycare facilities.
- Subject-based teaching in Danish to be introduced, in particular reading in the pre-school class.
The primary and lower secondary school (Folkeskole)
- All pupils must have excellent academic skills and knowledge.
- The Folkeskole must provide pupils with knowledge and skills, promote creativity and independence and prepare them for further education.
- The pupils must be among the best in the world in four basic subject areas: reading, mathematics, natural science and English.
- All young people are to gain knowledge and skills that provide them with the basis for actively taking part in a globalised world.
Youth education
- All young people are to have a qualifying education. At least 85 per cent of all young people are to complete a youth education by 2010, and a minimum of 95 per cent by 2015.
- The education programmes are to be attractive and of the highest quality.
- The general upper secondary education programmes are to provide pupils with good academic and general competences enabling more to complete higher education.
- The vocational education and training programmes are to challenge the most talented pupils and provide them with increased possibilities for higher education. At the same time, the programmes are to provide realistic educational and training possibilities for academically weaker pupils.
Higher education
- At least 50 per cent of a youth cohort are to have a higher education in 2015.
- The quality of short cycle and medium cycle higher education programmes and university education programmes must match the best in the world.
- The content of all higher education programmes must match the needs of society.
- All young people are to obtain an education with a global perspective.
- Young people are to be encouraged to begin higher education programmes earlier, and the education programmes are to be organised so as to minimise delay.