In Denmark there are ca 2100 primary schools with ca 690.000 pupils. The number of independent schools are ca 500 and they represent ca 90.000, which correspond to 13.4 % of the pupils in the primary schools.
259 of the 500 independent schools are organised in Danish Free School Association and they represent ca 30.000. The remaining 60.000 pupils are organised in The Independent Primary School’s Association.
What is an independent (free school) school?
Independent schools are primary schools that offer education for children from preschool till 10th form. The schools are a result of parents initiatives based on the Danish Constitution § 76, which states that we have compulsory education – but not compulsory school attendance. The independent schools are an alternative to the state schools. The schools are allowed to make their own curriculum based on ideas and values, but they are obligated to offer an education that matches the state school.
The tradition of independent (free schools) go back to ca 1850, and Cristen Kold and N.F.S. Grundtvig play a great role as founders of the “free schools”.
In 2008 the plurality of schools are very obvious in the Danish school system. The 500 independent schools are based on different religious- pedagogical - and humanistic ideas and values: We have grundtvig/koldian schools, Rudolf Steiner Schools, Muslim Schools, Run – Hubbard inspired schools, Adventist Schools, and schools with reform pedagogical ideas and many more.
Even though the state supports the schools with 75% of the cost, the schools have the freedom to choose the pupils. In reality all statistics show, that the independent schools represent an average section of the Danish population.
Who are responsible for the independent (free) schools?
Independent schools are selves governed institutions run by a parent elected board, who is chosen by the participants at the yearly general meeting. The board has the main authority concerning economical matters of the school. The school leader is responsible for the pedagogical ideas of the school in cooperation with the staff and the board. The board can dismiss the school leader and teachers. Apart from the parents there are often members of the school circle, who no longer have children attending the school.
In order to establish an independent school there must be a specific number of people who want to do so. It can be families and single persons who together decide to establish a school.
The economy of the of independent (free) schools
The independent schools receive 75% state grand pr pupil calculated by the average of the cost pr state school pupil. In addition to 75% support pr pupil to educational costs, the schools receive support to buildings and the after school care. Children with need of special education and Danish language as second language are also supported economically within the same law. The idea behind this is, that all parents should have the opportunity to choose the school they want for their children.
Tests and evaluation in the independent (free) schools
Within the law of primary independent schools it is possible to finish the primary school in 9th form without a formal state test. 30 members of Danish Free School Association have decided not to follow the state final tests. Additional to that it is possible to apply for dispensation concerning the formal tests in the subjects history and religion based on the school’s educational values.
Teachers in the independent (free) schools
The law do not demand that teachers have to be educated from the state colleges or The Free Teachers College in Ollerup. In 2004 the status for teachers in independent was the following: 53% of the teachers came from the state teacher training colleges, 7 % from The Free Teacher College in Ollerup. 10 % had an academic education from a university, 9% had another education, 9% were educated from pedagogical training chools and another 12% had another educational background.
Supervision with the independent (free) schools
There are several supervision levels: The parental supervision, an extern parental chosen person to supervise the teaching of the school. The Ministry of Education has three levels of supervision, and they can withdraw the financial support to a school if they find, that the school do not fulfil the requirements of the law.
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Please note that this publication has not been updated since 1995.
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