The Folkeskole is Denmark’s public primary and lower secondary school system. It is run by the municipalities and provides free primary and lower secondary education for children.
The Folkeskole includes:
• One year of pre-school class (0th grade),
• nine years of compulsory education (grades 1-9), and
• an optional one-year 10th grade.
In Denmark, education is compulsory for children from the age of six until they complete compulsory education, usually at the age of 16.
Children may receive their education in a public school, a private school, or through home schooling, provided that the statutory educational requirements are met. While education is compulsory, attendance at a school is not.
The Folkeskole consists of municipal schools located throughout Denmark, where children receive their primary and lower secondary education.
The Folkeskole is governed by the Danish Folkeskole Act, which establishes the national framework for all public primary and lower secondary schools in Denmark.
The Act establishes a common national framework for all municipal schools by setting out the overall purpose of the Folkeskole, the subjects to be taught at each grade level, the Common Objectives for each subject, and the rules governing the organization and management of the school system. Within this national framework, however, each municipal council is responsible for deciding how the municipality’s schools are organized in practice. Municipal councils determine the local level of service for the Folkeskole and may also set additional objectives for their schools.
Because all public schools operate within the same national framework, pupils who move from one school to another school will generally experience a familiar learning school environment. At the same time, each school has the flexibility to reflect local priorities and characteristics.
Municipal councils are required to hold an annual dialogue with each school regarding its development and challenges. The purpose of this dialogue is to support pupils’ academic development and well-being. Before the meeting, the school principal prepares an assessment of the school’s progress and identifies areas for further development. The municipal council and the municipal administration contribute to the dialogue based on the municipality’s overall strategy for its school system.
The agreement on improving standards in the Danish Folkeskole (primary and lower secondary education) has been translated into English.
