The Danish government and two opposition parties in the Danish Parliament have agreed on a reform that reorganises the education landscape after primary and lower secondary education and establishes a new, vocationally and professionally oriented upper secondary education programme (epx programme). The reform is part of a comprehensive reform plan for the whole Danish education system.

The new epx programme will combine practical and theoretical instruction. At the epx programme, students choose a curriculum track based on their interests and are assigned to the same class throughout the education programme to ensure a good class community.

The epx programme will have a duration of two years and will give the students access to vocational education and training (VET) programmes and academy profession programmes. The students can supplement the two-year epx programme with another year which will give them access to all professional bachelor education programmes. An extended cluster of subjects will give the students access to academic bachelor education programmes.

To be admitted to the epx programme, the students must have passed the leaving examination of the primary and lower secondary school or taken the preparatory basic education exam. With the reform, about 10,000 more young people will have access to an upper secondary education programme every year.

An expert group will be established to present its recommendations on the organisation of the epx programme, including its structure, subjects and examinations. The contracting parties’ ambition is that young people can attend the new upper secondary education programme from August 2030.

The reform also includes a reorganisation of the upper secondary education landscape. With the reform, the following education programmes will be abolished and replaced by the new epx programme:

• The optional tenth form in primary and lower secondary school;

• The two-year hf programme;

• The eux programme;

• The first part of the basic course at the VET programmes.

There will still be relevant education offers for young people who are not ready to attend a youth education programme after the ninth form in primary and lower secondary school. Continuation schools and vocational schools will continue to offer education courses in the school year following the ninth form. 

For more information:  https://www.uvm.dk/-/media/filer/uvm/aktuelt/pdf25/feb/250218---aftale-om-en-ny-erhvervs--og-professionsrettet-gymnasieuddannelse--epx-reform-.pdf

Source: Eurydice Unit Denmark