About Efterslaegten

“Efterslaegten” – A Unique Institution

The name ‘Efterslægten” dates back to 1786 and the school’s founding fathers whose still existing motto for the school is “non nobis”, Latin for ‘Not for ourselves’, meaning not for our own immediate benefit, but to the benefit of generations (‘slægten’) after (‘efter’) us.

HF-Centret Efterslægten is a unique Copenhagen upper secondary institution. Efterslægten is a big house, containing both two-year classes, single-subject courses, facilities for self-learning study and “Net-HF” (internet-based, interactive learning) – altogether about 1500 students between the ages of 17 and 70, and a staff of about 100.

At HF-Centret Efterslægten we wish the students to acquire not only academic, but also general, personal and social competences in order to prepare them for further studies and for a life as participating citizens in a democratic society. With a house full of people from all walks of life and backgrounds we provide a tolerant and constructive educational environment based on mutual respect and equality . One of our mottos is: It is fun when it is serious.

Education in Denmark

Nationally, the Ministery of Education administers all publicly maintained upper secondary schools (“gymnasiums”) and higher preparatory examination courses (“hf” courses) – see below. Regionally, HF-Centret Efterslægten belongs in the “Capital Region”. Locally, HF-Centret Efterslægten is a self-governing institution. Interest in attending upper secondary schools is growing all over the country with the number of students attending upper secondary schools in Copenhagen rising rapidly in recent years.

Upper secondary schools and “hf” courses The objective of the upper secondary school and higher preparatory examination education is to give young people a general, academically-based education giving access to further and higher education. The “gymnasium” gives a three-year upper secondary youth education which is completed with an upper secondary school leaving examination. The “HF” higher preparatory examination can be taken in two years, or as single-subject courses or as a self-learning study, and is completed with a higher preparatory examination. The students have a choice of upper secondary schools or “HF” courses across regional and local authority borders. Teaching is free at publicly maintained upper secondary schools except for the supply of dictionaries, pocket calculators and paper, which the students must buy themselves.

Management and co-determination Pedagogical responsibility is vested in the Danish Ministry of Education, which lays down rules concerning the contents of the teaching and the curriculum and syllabus as well as of examinations. At individual schools, educational and administrative responsibility lies with the headmasters. All upper secondary schools/higher preparatory examination courses have a school board with representatives elected by the Copenhagen City Council, the Capital Region council, employees, students and representatives of local business, organisations etc. The school board’s duties include deciding the school budget, the range of subjects offered, school holidays, school rules etc.

Students influence the contents and planning of the teaching of the individual subjects of the curriculum and syllabus. Students also have influence through their representation on school boards and committees and through the students’ council.

If you want to know more:

Download most recent information leaflet on the Danish system of education