Danish government proposes changes to upper secondary education system with new EPX program

The Danish government is proposing significant changes to the current upper secondary education system, suggesting the elimination of the HF program and its replacement with a new vocational and professional education called EPX. The proposed EPX program would have lower entry requirements compared to other upper secondary programs while the access requirements for the general STX program would increase.

Reactions from school leaders are mixed. Mads Skrubbeltrang, principal at Ørestad Gymnasium, criticizes the suggestion as overly drastic, warning it could create a divide between an elite group and those who are more practically oriented. He expresses concern that this division could lead to a system where students must fit into predetermined categories.

The government plans for the new EPX program to be three years long, starting in 2030, with an annual budget allocation of two billion kroner, representing a ten percent increase in funding for youth education. Initially, EPX would primarily lead to shorter higher education programs, but additional pathways to university will be proposed.

In contrast, Ole Heinager, director of NEXT Uddannelse København, supports the government’s initiative, arguing that it prioritizes young people’s needs and offers better transitions to vocational education. He believes the EPX program can enhance peer interactions for students before they enter work placements.

Conversely, Tomas Kepler, head of the Gymnasieskolernes Lærerforening, expresses concern that varying entry standards could negatively impact students’ well-being and create a hierarchy among education paths. He fears this change might force students into tracks based on political preferences rather than individual interests, which he deems “un-Danish.”