Danish government to revamp upper secondary education with new vocational program epx

The Danish government is set to revamp upper secondary education to encourage more students to choose vocational training. A new initiative includes a significant financial investment aimed at abolishing the current HF program and replacing it with an education called “epx,” designed to be vocationally and professionally oriented.

The proposed epx program will feature lower admission requirements compared to existing upper secondary schools, where the government plans to tighten access criteria. This has raised concerns among students like Sofie Grønkjær Balling, a 14-year-old in the eighth grade at Vester Mariendal School in Aalborg, who worries that stricter requirements for the regular gymnasium could hinder her dream of continuing in that direction.

Classmate Dicte Dam Dalager believes the epx program could be beneficial, especially for those struggling academically. Meanwhile, Signe Bjerg Sørensen, also facing challenges due to dyslexia, feels that the focus on vocational training may not suit students who are still uncertain about their future education paths.

However, some students are optimistic about the changes. Mohammad Ali Hassan appreciates the variety of options and sees the evolution as a chance for broader opportunities. His classmate Ask Hytten also supports the initiative, suggesting that the lower admission standards might motivate more students to pursue the epx program.

The new epx education will span three years and is set to start by 2030, with an annual budget of two billion kroner allocated by the government. While it will primarily allow access to short- and medium-term higher education, further options for university pathways are being considered.