Education system in Greenland

Schoolchildren on the first Folkeskola Day in Upernavik (2007)

The education system in Greenland has adapted to the Danish education system from the beginning over the course of around 300 years . Today there is a ten-year compulsory education in Greenland , which can be supplemented by a high school education and numerous vocational training and courses of study. The country has to defy the problems of the small number of inhabitants and the great dispersal of the population in order to still be able to offer an education system according to western standards.

history

1721-1905

Greenlanders are evangelized. A painting by Aron von Kangeq

The modern history of Greenland begins above all with the colonization of the western part of the island in 1721 by Hans Egede and with it the educational history of the country. The proselytizing of the pagan Inuit was the focus from the beginning . Education was therefore the responsibility of the missionaries and catechists and, in smaller settlements, of the readers ( læsere in Danish ), who themselves had not received any education beyond school. Only the Greenlanders under the care of Danish missionaries could read and write in 1798, while those who were evangelized by the Moravian Brethren had no such knowledge. The lessons were held exclusively in Greenlandic , the native language of the Kalaallit . Early on, Greenlanders were increasingly used as teaching staff, as the Danes had problems learning the Greenlandic language. The Greenlanders were taught reading , writing and arithmetic . The central subject was theology , geography , history and natural history were also taught. In the beginning there was no compulsory schooling and hardly any school buildings in Greenland and lessons took place mainly in chapels and the apartments of the church officials. The first real schools were established in Nuuk and Qasigiannguit and later in Ilulissat and Ilimanaq . The most important people at the beginning of the school history of Greenland were the missionary Jørgen Sverdrup (1732–1810), the seminar leader Nikolaj Edinger Balle (1839–1900), the inspector Hinrich Johannes Rink (1819–1893), the linguist Samuel Kleinschmidt (1814–1886) and the teacher Rasmus Berthelsen (1827–1901).

1905-1950

In 1905 the education system in Greenland was legally subordinated to the Danish state . During this time, the seminar leader Christian Wilhelm Schultz-Lorentzen (1873–1951) was the most important person in Greenlandic education, under which the seminar was greatly enlarged. It was not until 1925 that Greenland introduced compulsory schooling for seven years, which had been in place in Denmark since 1814. Although most of the Greenlanders had already had an education, it was now compulsory to go to school for seven years. Then you could voluntarily visit an Efterskole and then go to a Danish university or Grønland's seminarium , which had trained Greenlandic catechists and pastors since 1845 (see there for the history). At the same time, under Aage Bugge , Danish lessons became compulsory in the Greenlandic school system and, for the first time in around 200 years, the population was specifically taught the colonialist language, as this enabled the Greenlanders to continue their education in Denmark and to have better job opportunities in trade and administration was dominated by Danes. This change can be seen as the nucleus of the Greenlanders' aspirations for autonomy, who from then on were closer or equal to the Danes in the social hierarchy.

1950-1979

In 1950 Danish was offered as the language of instruction for the first time, but this was only possible in the largest cities and soon led to Greenlandic parents wanting to send their children to Danish-speaking schools because they saw better educational opportunities here. The strong population increase around 1960 led to a sudden massive shortage of teachers for the number of students, which had tripled within a few years, and so Danes without sufficient knowledge of Greenlandic were used. In addition, Danish was soon to be taught in the first grade, but Greenlandic was not taught until the third grade. All this and the introduction of the secondary school leaving certificate with the Education Act of 1967 brought about a further approximation to the Danish school system. A short time later, however, the growing sense of nationality and self-determination of the Greenlanders led to the danization of the Greenland school system being exposed to great criticism. In addition, equating the Greenland education system with Danish was such a great rise in level that many students had to move to Denmark after the sixth grade in order to obtain sufficient education for the secondary school leaving certificate.

Since 1979

It was only with the introduction of the Hjemmestyre in 1979 that a school system suitable for Greenlandic conditions was developed, in which the language of instruction was Greenlandic and Danish was taught as the first foreign language. The current legal framework for Folkeskoler has been in effect since 2013, slightly changed in 2018, that for Efterskoler since 2009, slightly changed since 2013, and that for grammar schools since 2012, slightly changed since 2016.

school-system

Since 2002, all Greenlandic students have had to attend the Folkeskole (elementary school) for ten years , which is divided into a three-year lower level (yngstetrinet), a four-year intermediate level (mellemtrinet) and a three-year upper level (ældstetrinet). Alternatively, children can be taught at home if the parents so wish or if there is no possibility of having the children attend school, for example because they live in a shepherd's settlement. After eighth grade or at the age of 14, students can switch to an Efterskole , which in this case can replace the Folkeskole.

After completing the Folkeskole, students are entitled to voluntarily complete a three-year high school education .

Vocational schools can be attended after completing 10th grade. The training takes an average of four years. After completing secondary school education, you can begin studying or a comparable educational path, which in turn takes two to six years.

Educational institutions in Greenland

Folkeskoler

The Folkeskole of Qaarsut , a typical village school (2011)

Folkeskoler exist in every village in Greenland and sometimes several times in the cities and thus around 85. There are five primary schools in Nuuk and the only private school in Greenland. However, many villages only have a single or low double-digit number of students who are therefore taught together.

At Yngstetrinet, Greenlandic, Danish, social studies, religion / philosophy, mathematics and natural history are taught. English is also taught at Mellemtrinet. A third foreign language can be learned in Ældstetrinet. In addition, instead of natural history, there are divided classes in the subjects of physics / chemistry, biology and geography. In addition, there is an elective area (art, music, sport, etc.) and an area for personal development (independence, health, responsibility, etc.) at each level.

Efterskoler

In 1928 the first Efterskole in Greenland was opened in Aasiaat and there was also one for girls in 1932. It no longer exists today. The two present-day Efterskoles are the Villads Villadsenip Efterskole in Qasigiannguit and the Maniitsoq Efterskole in Maniitsoq . The Villads Villadsenip Efterskole was opened in 2009 and teaches 80 students between 16 and 18 in addition to the usual subjects in three profiles: Outdoor / Adventure, Art / Design and Media / Communication. The Maniitsoq Efterskole (also Maniitsumi Efterskoli or Maniitsup Efterskolia ) opened in 2011 and teaches 70 students between 14 and 17.

High schools

The Greenland grammar school association is called GUX . There are four high schools in Greenland which are located in Aasiaat , Sisimiut , Nuuk and Qaqortoq .

The three-year grammar school education consists of six months of basic training and two and a half years of grammar school instruction according to the chosen field of study. The basic training includes Greenlandic, Danish, English, cultural studies, science, study methodology and sports. Each student can then choose between the nine profiles of trade / economics, technology / natural sciences, natural sciences, language / humanities, general, health sciences, social sciences, creativity and sport.

Aasiaat also offers a two-year high school education for adults aged 23 and over. As an eGUX , the grammar school can also be attended by distance learning if you cannot move to a city with a grammar school.

In Sisimiut there is also the Teknisk Gymnasium (HTX), in which a special focus is placed on natural science subjects and an additional technical subject.

Vocational schools

There are a number of specific vocational schools in Greenland.

Teknikimik Ilinniarfik

The Teknikimik Ilinniarfik (KTI) was created in 2011 through the merger of Sanaartornermik Ilinniarfik (Bygge og Anlægsskolen) in Sisimiut with Saviminilerinermik Ilinniarfik (Jern og Metalskolen) in Nuuk . It therefore has two locations and teaches around 650 people. The Saviminilerinermik Ilinniarfik was founded in 1969 as a central technical school, in which carpenters, machinists, automotive mechatronics, skippers and construction workers were trained. In 1977 the Sanaartornermik Ilinniarfik was spun off, from now on the construction workers were taught.

In the department of the former Saviminilerinermik Ilinniarfik , the following training courses can be undertaken : locksmiths, ship fitters, energy technicians , welders, construction machinery mechanics, truck mechanics, body smiths , car mechanics, bicycle mechanics, aircraft mechanics, boat / snowmobile mechanics, electricians, IT assistants, data technicians, radio / television technicians , Electronics Technicians, Automation Technicians, Office Technicians, Electrical Technicians, Movie / TV Production Technician, Movie / TV Production Assistant, Warehouse / Transport Worker, Removal Worker, Warehouse Handler, Terminal Worker, and Waste Technician.

In the department of the former Sanaartornermik Ilinniarfik , the following training courses are offered: plumbing fitter , carpenter and painter.

The department of the raw materials school in Sisimiut offers both training courses in mechanical engineering and miner.

At the ARTEK department , which is operated by the CTI in cooperation with Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), engineers for Arctic technology are trained in the five specializations of construction, installation, environment, systems and planning. Also in cooperation with the DTU, engineers for fishing technology are taught who can specialize in fishing technology, fisheries management and fish processing.

Niuernermik Ilinniarfik

The Niuernermik Ilinniarfik with offices in Nuuk and Qaqortoq (Campus Kujalleq) is the Greenland trade school. It offers some training after graduating from Folkeskole and others after passing high school.

With the Folkeskole degree, the following focus areas can be selected: administration and sales. In addition, with a high school diploma or completed training through the NI in Denmark, training to become a lawyer secretary, medical secretary, auditor assistant and shipping assistant can be chosen.

Grønlands Maritime Center

Grønlands Maritime Center (Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik), which is based in Nuuk but has a branch in Paamiut , was founded in 2013 in the form.

After completing a basic course in Paamiut, you can train to become a fishery manager, net tie, ship officer and ship assistant.

Inuili

The Inuili Food School in Narsaq offers numerous training courses in the gastronomy and nutrition sectors .

The following training courses can be taken at Inuili : confectioner, baker, catering / canteen assistant, butcher candidate, butcher, nutrition assistant, nutrition worker, catering assistant, cook, process technician (only with high school diploma), receptionist, receptionist / tourism assistant, waiter.

Peqqissaanermik Ilinniarfik

The Peqqissaanermik Ilinniarfik in Nuuk is the Greenland health school founded in 1993. It offers the following training opportunities: handicapped assistant, health worker, health assistant, paramedic, health worker, clinic assistant and dental nurse.

Perorsaanermik Ilinniarfik

The Perorsaanermik Ilinniarfik (Socialpædagogisk Seminarium) in Ilulissat was founded in 1995 and is located in a new building from 2011, which was expanded in 2018. Training to become a social worker is offered, which can be followed by further training as a social assistant. With a high school diploma or a completed social assistant training, a bachelor's degree in social education can also be acquired.

Kalaallisuuliornermik Ilinniarfik

The Kalaallisuuliornermik Ilinniarfik (Nationaldrachtsskole) in Sisimiut teaches the processing of animal skin and thus the production of traditional Greenlandic clothing.

Kunstskolen

The art school in Nuuk teaches drawing, acrylic painting, graphic and technical printing, media art and sculpture art.

Grønland's National Theater

The National Theater is responsible for training actors in Greenland.

Upernaviarsuk Landbrugsskole

The agricultural school in Upernaviarsuk trains, among other things, Greenlandic sheep farmers who live and work in the numerous shepherd settlements of South Greenland. She also teaches farmers specializing in arable and greenhouse farming.

University further education

The University of Greenland in Nuuk (2012)

Grønlands Universitet (Ilisimatusarfik) is the only university in the country. It was founded in 1983 and has been an independent university since 1987. It is located on the Ilimmarfik campus in Nuuk and was completed in 2018 by 70 Bachelor and 8 candidate students .

The following bachelor's degree programs are offered: economics, journalism, law, cultural / social history, translation / interpreting, social science, social counseling, language / literature / media, nursing and theology. History and religion can be chosen as minor subjects. The candidate can study cultural / social history, social science, language / literature / media and Western Nordic studies. In addition, there is pastor training for people who have completed a theology degree and teacher training, which is part of the integrated Ilinniarfissuaq .

In addition, some courses at vocational schools require a high school diploma. These are training as an administrative economist and financial advisor and general financial training as well as the subjects of International Trade and Market Management, International Transport and Logistics, Economics and Resource Management and IT Management and Technology at the Nuuk Commercial School, training as an Arctic Tourist Guide, Arctic Adventure Guide or Service economist at the Kujalleq campus in Qaqortoq and as a process technician at Inuili in Narsaq .

Colleges

Knud Rasmussen Højskolia in Sisimiut (2010)

There are two universities in Greenland: Knud Rasmussenip Højskolia in Sisimiut and Sulisartut Højskoliat in Qaqortoq . They both work according to the Scandinavian Folkehøjskole principle. The Knud Rasmussenip Højskolia (Knud Rasmussen Højskole) was opened after several years of lead time in 1962 and was the first university in Greenland. The Sulisartut Højskoliat was founded in 1977 to officials of Greenland 'union Sulinermik Inuussutissarsiuteqartut Katuffiat (SIK), formerly Grønlands Arbejder sammenslutning (GAS) to offer an education center. It offers about three dozen courses.