From 2020, all pupils in the 8th grade in Folkeskolen (primary and lower secondary education) must pass an exam in one of the practical or musical elective subjects. The elective subjects are as follows: home economics, craftsmanship, design, visual arts or music. The exam results will appear on the pupils’ leaving examination certificates from Folkeskolen. 

During the last years of lower secondary school, pupils start considering their study options after finishing school. The government wants to increase the number of pupils that choose a vocational education. The aim of the Ministerial Order is to promote a better balance between the academically oriented and practical subjects in order to reach the government’s goals.

The Ministerial Order implements the two political agreements from 2018 aimed at strengthening practical subject knowledge in primary and secondary education. 

For more information (in Danish), please consult the following links:

From now on subjects such as ‘craftsmanship and design` and music count in the leaving examination of the Folkeskole 

Ministerial Order on the exams in primary and lower secondary education 

Practical subject knowledge in the primary and lower secondary education 

Source: Eurydice Denmark Unit