The Aarhus City Council has taken the initiative to introduce a new youth education program called HPX – Higher Practical Exam, which is intended to be an alternative to the more academically heavy high school programs. This two-year education will focus on practical learning rather than theoretical teaching. The proposal for this new educational format was originally presented by the Reform Commission last year, and now Aarhus wants to be the first Danish city to test the concept. Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard (Social Democrats) emphasizes that the purpose of HPX is to help young people find their right place in the education system, which for many will mean a path into vocational education after completing the HPX program. “It was a challenging task to formulate and plan an entirely new educational offering, but our work has confirmed that there is a real need for this option,” Jacob Bundsgaard said in a press release.
The Aarhus City Council has now submitted their proposal to the Minister of Children and Education, Mattias Tesfaye (Social Democrats), and there are plans for a pilot project to start at institutions such as Sosu East Jutland and Aarhus Tech. Professor Nina Smith, chair of the Reform Commission, expresses satisfaction that Aarhus Municipality is taking steps to implement an education program that resembles what the commission proposed. “It is positive to see concrete actions being taken based on our recommendations,” she said. If the trial with HPX proves successful, it could become a model for future education reforms across the country aimed at offering more practical and relevant educational opportunities for young people.