Det Nødvendige Seminarium
Det Nødvendige Seminarium (DNS) (English: The Necessary Teacher Training College) is a non-profit organization located in Denmark. DNS was founded in Denmark in 1972 and has since educated hundreds of teachers now working all over the world in jobs concerned with constant improvement of alternative education for children, youngsters and adults. The degree obtained at DNS college is non-formal and not recognized by any official educational standard.
Det Nødvendige Seminarium | |
 | |
Other name | DNS, Teacher Training, Another kind of Education |
|---|---|
| Motto | The world is our classroom |
| Type | NGO |
| Established | 1972 |
| Students | 45 |
| Location | |
| Campus | All inclusive campus located in western Denmark |
| Language | English, Danish |
| Website | dns-tvind.dk |
 | |
DNS is integrated part of the School Center Tvind, and since 2011 DNS is in cooperation with One World University (OWU) in Mozambique, which opened opportunity of three year alternative distance learning program offering an unrecognized degree of licentiate of pedagogy.[1]
The NGO is private, and the students are self-financed by laboring at the partnering institutions within the framework of the college.[2] The self-financing methodology is notorious for its underpaid and exploitative practices. The program is half practical - half theoretical with a learning by doing approach.
Educational principals
DNS The Necessary Teacher Training program is made for a person to become a human being in its own rights – not defined by a job or a salary, but by humanity, personal values and skills, as well as abilities to live and work together with others and to bring necessary changes to the community. One of the methods of teaching such skills is by principal 'common meetings governs the school'.
DNS educates a student to become a teacher. Obtained teaching skills in a future work with other people enables to explain many complex phenomena of the world. It will be possible to teach social sciences, history, natural sciences, and other subjects, and share many real world experiences, emotions and attitudes.
A teacher plays an important role in society – especially in a society where more and more people – parents and children – are marginalized and discriminated, and have become poor – not only in material values, but indeed in lack of contemporary care and attention in school and lack of opportunities. The big task of the teacher is to prevent alienation and create a human culture by building bridges between all kinds of people.
Outline of three year program
Year 1 – international practice
2 months in Denmark preparing for a 4-month study travel through West Africa; and 3 months of elaboration and information work for people in Europe; 3 months bringing it to the public where the teams bring all they learned about people's life in West Africa to the people in Europe and 3 months saving up to earn money for the expenses of the second year of the education.
Year 2 – European practice
6 months training in experiencing and understanding the national reality by seeking employment in factories and other workplaces. Living, studying, working and organizing cultural events in a bigger European city; 3 months studies and exams at the school and 3 months “Doing what you find most appropriate to do”.
Year 3 – school practice
8 months training, working, and understanding the reality of children and teachers by seeking employment in a European school; 4 months at the college studying; 4 months at the college studying and taking the last exams.
Eligibility
In DNS college can enroll students holding EU passports. The teaching language is English. However, first year students do not need to be fluent in English, but able to communicate and study in English.
Funding
The 3-year education includes working and saving up periods, where the students can earn their basic living expenses and school fees.
The expenses for the 1st Year have to be saved up before the program starts. It includes school fees, the basic living costs like food, accommodation, pocket money, and the costs of the study travel to Africa. Some students can earn all the money in their home countries or somewhere else and just arrive when the program starts. Others earn at least part of the money by themselves and, if they have no possibility of raising the full amount alone, they can apply to join DNS’ saving-up group, where they seek all kinds of jobs together to raise the funds in a common effort, while building up their team. Since 2012 DNS have offered a 1-year saving up period starting August 1 for a limited number of students.
References
- Windisch, S. "One World University and DNS". DNS The Necessary Teacher Training College. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
- Brendt, A. "What Does Saving Up Mean?". DNS Newsletter. DNS The Necessary Teacher Training College. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-05-01.