18 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



continuation schools, but in the country evening schools as a rule 

 are private ventures, and it is common for university students to 

 devote part of their time to giving free instruction in rural 

 districts. 



There are Training Colleges for teachers, and classical and 

 other higher education is provided for by secondary schools in the 

 more important towns, the University of Copenhagen (1300 

 students) being the centre of the system. It is quite common for 

 peasants' sons to pass from the elementary schools, through the 

 secondary schools, to the University with the assistance of 

 bursaries. If Denmark puts her public schools to exceptional 

 profit, it is not because they are exceptional institutions, but 

 rather because the desire for education permeates the vrhole 

 people. 



The People's High Schools 



These schools are Denmark's original contribution to the theory 

 and practice of education. It is easy to see that they are a source 

 of pride to the people, the teachers, the students themselves, and 

 the State. Bishop Grundtvig (1783-1872), their founder, renowned 

 as an historical writer, poet, churchman, educationist, obtains the 

 veneration due to a great and good man and national benefactor. 



The first of the schools was founded in 1845, but most of them 

 sprang up as the result of a national movement after the disastrous 

 war with Prussia, and the dismemberment of the kingdom in 18(54. 

 There are now over seventy schools of the type, attended every 

 year by about 6,000 young people of both sexes, of ages between 

 eighteen and twenty-five years, this being considered the best 

 period of life for influencing the character. Over 10 per cent, of 

 the population passes through these institutions. 



They have been erected by private enterprise, sometimes by the 

 peasants themselves, but many of them have been bought by the 

 proprietors, and belong to an association established in com- 

 memoration of the late Bishop Grundtvig. 



The Government has now taken them under its supervision to a 

 limited extent, and gives grants in aid. There are no examinations, 

 however, and, generally speaking, the course of instruction and the 

 appointment of teachers are left to the management of the various 

 schools. 



The winter course for young men as a rule extends over six 

 months, though some of the courses for young women are usually 

 only of three months' duration, but in at least one (Askov) the 

 course is extended over two periods of six months each. 



The fee for instruction and board at these schools averages 

 about nine to ten shillings a week, and this is paid by the students 

 themselves ; but where a deserving young man or woman is unable 

 to pay for the course of instruction, the merits of the candidate's 

 case are judged with others, by the (local) Education Board in 

 conjunction with the County Council of the county in which the 

 candidate resides. These County Councils levy a small rate for 



