The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-19
RURAL SCHOOL LETTER NO. 3
THE FOLK HIGH SCHOOLS OF
 DENMARK
(By L. L. Friend.)

(By L. L.. HTIend.) No one can travel far in Denmark without discovering that the Danes are an unusually intelligent and well educated people. This is just as true of the rural population as of the towns and cities Denmark is essentially almost passion with the Danish people.
 Most interesting of all Danish edu- cationaI institutions, and the one that has made the greatest part in bring ing about the present high standard of intelligence among the people of rural Denmark is thes popular high school, or the folk high school" as it is called. This is precisely what it's name implies, high school for the people, not 3, vocational school, but a school where young men and women may return for a little while to stu dies that broaden their minds and make life more worth while.
 Three and Four Month Courses.
 In most Danish folk high schools two courses are offered each year. a, four-months' course in the winter for young men, and a three-months course in the summer for young wo- men, The students generally are from IS to 25 years of age. Most of them have completed the work of the ele- mentary schools several years prior to their attendance at the folk high schools. They come to the high schools at the most important period in their lives from the standpoint of education. These schools are located in the country and are maintained pri- marily for country youth. The stu dents are therefore for the most part sons and daughters of farmers. though among them are found many young people from other walks of life.
 While they have very definite edu- cational aims, the folk high schools do not strongly emphasize the acquisi- tion of textbook information. Text books are used to some extent, but play 0nlyea minor part No entrance requirements are prescribed and there are no examinations. No attempt is made to prepare students for entrance to higher institutions and no diplomas are conferred at the end of the course
 The course of study consists in part of a review of the more important ele- mentary branches. There is also in structfon in science subjects, such as chemistry, physics, and biology. The greatest emphasis, however, is laid on history, biography and literature. These are the subjects through which the folk high school seeks chiefly to accomplish it's aims.
 The idea of the folk high school goes back to Bishop N. T. S. Grund- wig C7s3-1872l, a noted Danish divine, poet and historian. The first folk
 
 in North Sch1eswig in 1845, but it was not until nearly twenty years later that the movement really took hold of the people of Denmark. Then came the expected war with Germany, which resulted in the loss of SchIeswie and Holstein. This was crushing blow, but the national spirit was not brok- en. 4 new determination took pos session of the nation-a determina- ton to make again for itself a place Of honor among the nations of the world, though not again with arms and warfare. It was in the awaken ing Of the intelligence of the people, and the development of the resources of the land, that the nation saw the promise of restored national prestige. This, it was believed, could be accom- plfshed only through education.
 The new reliance education led at once to the recognition of the possibil- ities of the folk high school and to the real beginning of the high school movement. The school at Rodding was moved across the new German border to Askov and number of new schools were established in different parts of Denmark. Students 1ocked to them and their influence grew with great rapidity.
 Today there are close to 80 folk high schools in Denmark, with total an nual enrolment of almost ten thous- and students. Over 10 per cent. of the population of Denmark pass through these schools. At a, number of the schools there are many more applicants for admission than can be accepted. This seems the more re- markabIe when it is remem bered that no preferments are promised to those who attend them. The young people go for the inspiration and the intel lectua1 uplift that the schools afford and for the preparation that they give for life.
 Intense Earnestness of the Students.
 It is difficult for one who has not visited these schools to understand how so much can be accomplished in so short a time. The secret lies in the intense seriousness of the students. They are mature and earnest. They come voluntarily. eager to receive what the school has to give. They live together in the school buildings with the principal and his corps of assistants like a great family. There are opportunities for social inter course and for physical training, but there are no distracting influences; no time is wasted. Every day is a busy one from early morning till the hour for the evening meal; and in some schools there are lectures and other school exercises at night.
 As has already been said, to history, biography and literature are attached the greatest importance in the folk high schools. For these subjects teachers Of power and personality are chosen-teachers who know how to in- terpret the meaning of history and make it's teachings clear; who are able to reveal the spirit that operated in the life of great man in such a way as to make 1t react in the lives of those they teach; who know the truths and beauties of great books and poems and are able to bring them within the grasp of their pupils. These subjects are presented mainly by lee tures- There is little committing of lessons to memory for classroom repe- tition, but the students are frequently permitted and encouraged to engage in the freest discussion of the subjects upon which their instructors have lec- tured. Everywhere the aim of the