Graduation cap from Sct. Knuds Gymnasium, Odense
Student graduation cap that belonged to Agnethe Hansen, who graduated from Sct. Canute's Gymnasium (Sct. Knuds Gymnasium) in 1925. This cap is now at Møntergården in Odense. Photo: Jens Gregers Aagaard.
Intro
Women were not allowed to attend the 'gymnasium' – the upper secondary schools of education – until 1903. And it was not generally accepted until much later. Until 1940 Sct. Knud's Gymnasium was an all-girls college. The boys went to Katedralskolen.
In the world of books
Denmark’s first book was printed in Odense in 1482. It then became possible to disseminate knowledge and information on a previously unseen scale and at an unprecedented rate. The printed book still plays an important role in our education system, but its use has developed from the rote learning of the grammar schools to the responsibility for learning placed on the individual. The Funen resident, Christian Kold, who was an activist in the free school movement, was instrumental in sparking this development.
Upper secondary education for everybody
In the course of the 20th century, a political desire emerged demanding that more pupils from all social strata, and a larger proportion of each year group, should attend upper secondary education. New upper secondary schools were established in all the major towns on Funen, and Odense was granted two, Mulernes Legatskole and Tornbjerg Gymnasium. Today, 65% of the pupils in a year group go on to take an upper secondary education after elementary school.
This location is part of the exhibition 'Funen – at the centre of the universe', at Møntergården in Odense. Read more about the exhibition on our website.