The educational system of Denmark is administered and controlled by the Ministry of Education through measures such as legislation, regulation of pay and working conditions for teachers, planning, and statistical and budgeting functions. The system comprises nine years of primary school, three years of secondary school, and additional training at universities and teachers' training institutes. Under the Public Schools Act of 1975, local districts may establish one year kindergarten classes which stress games and other developmental activities. On the secondary level, students are divided into college preparatory and pre-vocational specializations, each of which offers both compulsory and optional subjects. Students must obtain a public school leaving certificate and pass an entrance examination before being admitted to a university. Teacher training courses last from three to four years and offer practical training in the schools as well as academic study. Teachers frequently possess a doctorate as well as a teaching degree and spend approximately 40% of their working time doing research. Educational development from 1974-76 stressed expansion of higher education, cooperation between various types of schools, and increased tutorial and vocational guidance at all levels of the public education system. (Author/DB)