DENMARK
In Denmark, compulsory education lasts 9 years, from 6/7 to 15/16 years old
Pre-Primary School or Folkeskole (6–7),
Primary and Secondary School or Folkeskolens afgangsprøve, grundskole (7–15)
Secondary School or Studentereksamen, Handelsskole, Teknisk skole (15–19 years)
Erhvervsuddannelse, Svendeprøve (15–20 years)
Vuggestuer (nursery); 8ørnehaver (kindergarten); Børnehavekl axis (preschool class).
Vuggestuer, 2 and a half years (from 6 months to 3 years old); Børnehaver, (from 3 to 6); Børnehavekl axis, a year (from 5/6 to 7 years old).
The Vuggestuer and the Børnehaver must be organized and offered free of charge by the municipalities, but they are not part of the education system. On the contrary, La Børneha vekl axis is part of the education system and, since August 2006, is the first class of compulsory education, which has a total duration of 10 years.
Municipalities are responsible as they must ensure that pre-primary classes are established at compulsory education institutions. Municipalities are obliged to guarantee access to education to all children living in the area of competence. In August 2005, a parliamentary recommendation was adopted to give families the possibility to choose the institute even beyond the municipal or county boundaries.
The admission of children to pre-school education is mainly based on age; but if demands exceeds the offer, the municipalities give the available places according to the following preference requirements: children with special educational or social needs; children with only one parent; children with parents who work far from home; children with brothers or sisters already enrolled at the same institution.
Money for all levels of pre-primary education comes from local authorities through centrally allocated funds.
The educational activities in the Børnehavekl axis begin in mid-August and end the last week of June, for a total of at least 600 hours, distributed in a minimum of 20 lessons per week, divided into 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week. The daily schedule is decided by the school, but cannot exceed 6 hours, generally from 8.00 to 14.00.
The Børnehaveklasse education plan must include the following themes: language and forms of expression; the nature and phenomena of the natural sciences; music; P.E.; social life; cooperation. As part of these issues, Børnehavek! Axis teachers can choose the content, working methods, teaching materials, etc. Teaching is organized in the form of a game or other activities, without the use of formal classes or lessons.
SWEDEN
In Sweden, compulsory education lasts 9 years, from 7 to 16 years old
Primary and Secondary School ( Grundskola): 7-16 years with a chance to start at 6.
High School ( Gymnasium): 16–19 years old.
Fòrskola (pre-school); familjedaghem (day-care in a private home);
òppen fòrskolci (open pre-school); Fòrsko e-klass (pre-school class).
Fòrskola, familjedaghem and òppen fòrskola 5-6 years (from 1 to 7 years old); Fòrskole-klass 4 years (from 3 to 7).
Municipalities must offer preschool activities to all children aged between 1 and 5 whose parents work or study. All children aged 4 and 5 have the right to follow free pre-school activities for at least 3 hours a day or 15 hours a week. The opening hours are from 6.30 to 18.30. School activities are financed by the municipalities and the fees paid by the parents.
Municipalities are also required to organize preschool classes for 6-year-old children (about 3 hours a day). They are often organized at the compulsory schools and are part of the public education system. Attendance is voluntary but around 95% of 6-year-old kids are enrolled in these classes. In general, the rest of the children are already enrolled in compulsory education. Pre-school classes are payed by the municipality, including teaching materials, meals and transportation.
Most schools are managed by the municipalities, but the number of independent pre-schools, managed by private people, has increased in the last 5 years (17% of children in preschool in 2004 attended independent institutions).
The most common pre-school organizations are parents’ cooperatives which are open from Monday to Friday all year round.
In the familjedaghem an educator takes care of the children registered in the educator’s home. In the òppen fòrskola parents can occasionally bring their children to carry out educational and social activities for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. They are especially made for children who do not attend other kinds of structures.
Most children combine pre-school class attendance with leisure time centers, or at a home educator.
The curricula established by the government, provide for the national objectives for the different forms of education, however, the specific means by which these objectives are achieved are determined by those who work in educational institutions.
The teaching methods and materials are a free choice of teachers. On the basis of the curriculum, each municipality is obliged to adopt a school plan.
Napoletana ma casertana di adozione. I miei studi: Liceo classico – Laurea in lingue. Diploma post lauream Traduttore/interprete. Non nasco come docente, infatti per un decennio sono stata la responsabile ufficio estero di una importante azienda di import/export, divento insegnante per vocazione. La scuola è la mia passione. Vincitrice di concorso a cattedra con max votazione, mi abilito per insegnare inglese alla secondaria di I e II grado. Incomincio e continuo tuttora con entusiasmo. Funzione strumentale Area scuola e territorio e Ptof. Membro consiglio d’istituto. Tutor Pon di lingua. Docente ref. E-twinning. Funzione di docente specialista in metodologia Clil ( in Storia e Scienze). Adoro il mio lavoro, credo sia uno tra i più stimolanti e creativi ma di grande responsabilità… alleviamo menti. Mi piace viaggiare, ascoltare musica e stare in mezzo alla gente.
