The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-03
EDUCATION IN DENMARK.

The present arrangement and admin
istration Of the schools of Denmark is
founded on two laws from 1914, which
have, however, been altered by later de-
crees. One of the laws regulates the
common schools in towns, the other those
in the country; but the fundamental
principles are alike for both. Still, it
must be noted, that in the course of
some twenty or thirty years, most of tho
larger towns have themselves re organ
lied their common schools, which now
a-days give the pupils an amount of
knowledge that greatly surpaeses the
standard fixed by the laws. All children
at the age Of seven to fourteen years
must attend some school. unless their
parents or tutors take care to have them
taught satisfactorily in some other man
ner. Sometimes children are permitted
to leave school at the age of thirteen,
provided that they have reached what
knowledge and ability they have to ac-
quire during their school-time. Parents
who neglect to send their children 10
school are fined. In the common schools
are taught religion. writing, reading,
arithmetic, music, gymnastics, history
Of Denmark and geography. Besides,
the teachers have to teach the children
as much as possible Of all that will
counteract prejudices and develop their
ability for work. The aim of the school
is to make the children good Christians
and citizens, and to give them such
knowledge and powers as will serve this
end.
Every parish is to have a school, but
several of them have more than one.
This is necessary, partly because the
law forbids any child to go longer dis
lance to school than one English mile,
and partly because no single teacher
must have greater number of children
than one hundred in the country-eighty
in towns. In towns, every school has
two teachers or more, but in the country
it is common that one teacher has two
schools, namely.-a primary school. for
children from seven to ten years, and
the usual common school. Each parish
must pay it's school expenses, but the
government gives yearly 100000 Kr. to
the salary of teachers, and $4,000 to the
school funds, out of which are paid PEN
sions for teachers and contributions to
the salaries of assistant teachers.
Every appointed teacher who has held
situation for ten years is entitled to
pension in case of his being unable to
work any more. After ten years of SER
vice, his pension will be half Of his sal
airy and after twenty nine years. two
thirds of it. Teachers widows only re-
ceive one-eighth of the salary. but every
teacher has to secure to his wife some
life insurance, and the government takes
care that he performs this duty. Every
parish or town has it's school board,
which works under the superintendent
of the government. The supreme
authority, under which come all the
schools of the country, is the ministry of
church and schools.
The Latin schools were formerly su.
perintended by the Board of the Univer-
sity; but since 1913. they have been
placed under the ministry of church and
schools. A bill of Parliament is neces-
sary to change the material foundations
of the higher schools. These schools
are superintended by Board of three
mem bers. selected for three years by the
government. They have special super
intendence of gymnastics and vocal
music. The number of public Latin
schools is twelve. Only one Of them,
that Of Soro, is boarding school. The
number of pupils is. for the present, 1868.
At every school is appointed rector,
several headmasters and assistants.
The salary Of the rector is 1000 to 5000
Kr. The teachers are all entitled to
pension, their widows too.-Education.