LIMPOPO – Lucia Maake from Kgapane outside Modjadjiskloof, represented South Africa on an educational tour to Denmark recently.

The main objective of the week long-trip was to explore the Danish education system and to compare it with the South African one. Maake qualified for the trip after being named the best physical science teacher in SA last year.

She was part of the nine delegates from the country, consisting of six national teachers awards winners who were three principals and three teachers and other delegates from First Rand and the Department of Education.

The team visited Aalborg, the fourth biggest urban settlement in Denmark, the University of Aalborg and Aarhus University. They also visited other schools and met with principals and teachers.

They further looked at how they implement Project Based Learning (PBL) in their schools. PBL is an active learning approach where learners learn by working on real-world projects that require them to investigate and solve complex problems.

Maake was fascinated with how Gr 7 learners at one school they visited, designed an island using recycled materials, the learners used mathematics, natural science, technology, English, and life skills to execute the tasks.

“Some of the notable observations I made is that the Denmark’s government prioritises education. The schools have a maximum of 27 kids in each classroom and they have enough human resources for that.

“Similarly to us, they have free education. With them, it extends to learners getting a stipend for attending university. Something our country might not do because of the large population, but it’s really interesting how the Danish encourage education like that,” she explained. Maake was also impressed with the Danish lifestyle outside the classroom.

“It is a very peaceful place, a bit cold, but so quiet. They’re into environmental stewardship. Most people use electric cars, and kids ride bicycles to school, even most adults use bicycles to move around. So they’re healthy people.

“There isn’t much crime there. People leave markets unattended and buyers would come, take whatever they need and use their speed points to pay,” she added. She says that “although they have a lot going for them, South Africa is also on par.

“Even though their education system is relaxed, I think we are doing better in terms of content. Food and basic items are expensive, South Africa is more affordable. I’m still aching over how much I spent on food. We are a multicultural nation and so much more colourful than they are, we are a beautiful nation.”

They also had the opportunity to meet Dr Sizwe Nxasana and Professor Xiangyun Du (the Director of the UNESCO PBL Centre at Aalborg University) to explore bold new ways to reimagine learning through Project-Based Learning.

Another highlight was dinner with South African Ambassador in Denmark, Fikile Magubane.