medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

71Things to remember atschool startParents must contactthe private schoolthemselvesGenerally, the parents will receive a letterwith practical information about theschool start, e.g. that the child shouldbring a school bag, pencil case and a lunchpack on the first day. Usually, the pupilsbring a lunch pack every day. A fewschools operate a lunch scheme, whileothers run a canteen where pupils can buyfood cheaply.Parents wishing to enrol their child in aprivate independent school must contactthe school to get the child’s name on awaiting list. Many schools have a longwaiting list, so you need to enter yourchild’s name several years before the childis due to start school. The schools willinform the parents well in advance of theschool start date whether their child hasbeen admitted.Objectives and content ofschool educationDanish legislation establishes certainminimum requirements for the subjects tobe taught. Except for these requirements,each school is free to decide how toorganise its educational plan.In the lowest grades, the pupils swim anddo sports together, but have separateshower facilities.The subject of Christian studies/religiouseducation deals with general humanissues, presented and discussed in thecontext of both Christianity and otherreligions and philosophies of life.The education is non-confessional, itssole aim being to provide information.Theinstruction thus helps improve the pupils’understanding of the historical andcultural background of many modernsocieties as we know them.The parents may have their childexempted from attending classes inreligious education by submitting astatement that they want to teach thechild themselves.Christianity and otherreligionsSCHOOL AND EDUCATIONGirls and boys aretaught the same subjectsIn the municipal primary and lowersecondary schools girls and boys aretaught the same subjects. This applies toacademic subjects, such as Danish,English, social studies and mathematics,as well as to creative subjects. Both girlsand boys learn to sew, cook and use tools.