During the last few generations,
rapid development has sharpened focus on the area of education. The conditions
of our country will always demand that we develop and utilize our human
resources in the best possible manner. We can not afford to waste even a
little of the human potential latent in our people.
Just as education is important for enabling a small population to prepare
itself adequately, an active cultural life is vital for sharing the experience
of community fellowship found in our great land, which in spite of its beauty
still places great demands on the role we play.
Primary schools and special schools. Business
education. High schools. Higher education.
Recreation. Culture. The media. Museums and
archives. Libraries. Technical schools. Churches.
Primary schools and special schools
The primary schools in Greenland are in many respects built up around the
Scandinavian model. There are 9 years of compulsory schooling for everyone,
taught in Greenlandic. The school system works toward advancing and developing
the students' spiritual and physical abilities and emphasizes the development
of independence in balance with respect for the student's personal and social
responsibilities.
In connection with the primary schools there are a number of special
schools where a Department for Pedagogic and Psychological Counselling (Siunnersuisarfik)
provides an opportunity to observe, examine and treat children individually.
Business education
Throughout recent years, a long list of business and trade schools have
been established which are now able to supply the Greenlandic labour market
with qualified workers.
Merchant schools as secondary schools offer majors in trade and
administration while also offering higher education related to specific
businesses, languages, tourism, and in other specialized areas.
There are local secondary schools providing education for a long list
of trades such as the Building and Building Systems School, the School
for Metalwork, and the Food Industries School. The School for Animal Husbandry
offers an secondary school for aspiring young farmers.
Some of the business education specifically addresses Greenland's main
industry, fishing. The Seaman's School of Greenland and the Shipping
and Fisheries Schools are secondary schools for the maritime subjects.
The Fishing Industries School leads to an education in fishing industry
administration, and training for laboratory technicians dealing with quality
control, biology and a number of other related fields.
Instituations of Higher Education
Greenland's University (Ilisimatusarfik) is a research and educational
institution which offers a three-year bachelor degree and a two-year master's
programme. There are approximately 80 students who include, in addition
to the Greenlandic students, a growing number of guest students from Canada,
Alaska and Northern Regions. Ilisimatusarfik houses three institutes: the
Institute for Economics and Administration, The Institute for Culture and
Social Studies, and the Institute for the Greenlandic Language.
Greenland's Seminary (Ilinniarfissuaq) educates social workers
and teachers for the primary school levels. The teacher training major requires
four years. Ilinniarfissuaq also provides a four-year correspondence education
course as well as a variety of continuing education courses.
The Seminary for Social Pedagogy in Ilulissat provides an education
in social pedagogy.
The School of Journalism educates journalists in both the printed
and electronic
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media. The course of study lasts three-and-a-half years, including on-the-job
training and theory in media and social studies in co-operation with Greenland's
University and other institutions.
The Centre for Health Education leads to degrees in nursing and manages
the on-going educational needs of health professionals.
Churches, Culture and Recreation
The Church of Greenland is represented by the Evangelist Lutheran
denomination and is a part of the Danish State Church but with its own independent
diocese. The bishop presiding over the diocese of Greenland takes care of
ecclesiastical affairs together with the diocese provosts, priests and catechists.
The Department of Libraries includes 17 regional library branches
as well as the National Library (Nunatta Atugaateqarfia) which supports
the branches with book loans, advisory services and free distribution of
Greenlandic language literature. Nunatta Atuagaateqarfia is the national
library for Greenland and its Greenlandic wing contains, amongst other items,
all of the new and most of the existing Greenlandic publications, as well
as a comprehensive collection of literature on Greenland in other languages
than Greenlandic.
The Greenlandic Department of Museums and Archives works to ensure
that Greenland's cultural heritage is protected through the registration,
collection, conservation and research of those items (equipment, objects,
information, archives and the like) which serve as evidence of its culture
and social development - including the development of art and the relationship
between man and nature in Greenland throughout its history.
In addition, Greenland's National Museum and Archives administer laws
regarding conservation and preservation of national treasures.
Greenland's Radio, Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR), is an independent
public institution which has the responsibility of broadcasting radio and
television programmes which include news, information, entertainment and
art. KNR is financed through government contribution, the sale of commercials
and sponsorships, games and competitions for profit, and the sales of various
services, etc.
The institution is managed by a board of directors consisting of seven
members. KNR radio has an annual broadcast schedule of 5,300 hours while
KNR-TV broadcasts around 2,300 hours of which 300 hours are in-house productions.
KNR productions include, amongst others, nightly evening national news (Qanorooq),
debate programmes, children's programmes, nature features, and sports broadcasts
as well as entertainment.
KNR radio and television has its main studios in Nuuk and has regional
radio stations in Qaqortoq and Ilulissat. It also maintains an editorial
staff in Copenhagen. KNR has a permanant staff of approximately 125 and
employs a large number of freelance service providers.
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