Policy Document

The Public School Act of 26 June 1975

Year

1975

Country

Denmark

Topic

Education

Subtopic

Compulsory Schooling

Main implications

In this law, the secondary school (Realskolen) was abolished; instead, it implements a prolongation of the primary school to include 8th-10th grade. 8th-10th grade are divided in tracks according to academic achievement. Attendance of the 10th grade is non-compulsory. The law also provides a more detailed description of the purpose of the Folkeskole (municipal schools), placing emphasis on the democratic culture of students. A shift towards a more united school (without academic differentiation) can be seen in the law, primarily with non-divided education in 1st and 2nd grades, biology, history, and geography in 3rd-5th grades, and modern studies in 8th-9th grades.

Benefits & Requirements

Coverage: Eligible groups or beneficiaries

Children: The compulsory education requirement applies to children with an expected stay in the country of six months.

Age range

7 - 16

Duration (numbers of years of compulsory education stipulated by this document)

10

ISCED levels included in compulsory education

1+2

Dedication (number of hours per week stipulated by this document)

Weekly working hours: 1st-2nd grade: 15-20 hours 3rd grade: 18-23 hours 4th grade: 20-25 hours 5th - grade: 24-30 hours Maximum limits for daily working hours: 1st grade: 4 hours 2nd-3rd grade: 5 hours 4th-5th grade: 6 hours 6th - grade: 7 hours

Is educational tracking implemented or modified by this document?

No

Read the Law

Original full text source in native language

Folketingstidende 1974-75, 2. samling tillæg C sp. 549

Original full text web source in native language

http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/lov-om-folkeskolen-26-juni-1975/

Comments & Clarifications

The changes in the law must be seen in light of contemporary discussions about creating equal opportunities for all, avoiding social differences, and supporting the personal development of young men and women. The act was in effect without major changes until the Law on Primary School of 30 June 1993 came into force.

Author

Lene Tølbøll
Department of Sociology and Social Work
Aalborg University

Data collected in the framework of the Population Europe Research Finder and Archive (PERFAR)

Cite as

SPLASH-db.eu (2014): Policy: "The Public School Act (Law 509 of 30 June 1993)" (Information provided by Lene Tølbøll). Available at: https://splash-db.eu [Date of access].