´Dannelse´ is general good breeding and understanding of culture, and was a very important concept in Danish educational theories. It also includes intellectual development in the wider sense and ethical principles.

Another meaning of the term was educating the country people and ordinary population - which laid the foundations for later development and prosperity. Here emphasis was laid on giving them an identity and a wider perspective as well as the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic.

The name Grundtvig springs inevitably to mind in connection with Danish educational history/theory.
http://grundtvig-koldsk-skole.dk/leksikon/almendannelse/

In higher circles ´dannelse´ meant good taste and manners as much as knowing the right things, and became associated with snobbery, so it is not such a commonly used word any more.

However, educationists still fiercely discuss the importance of educating ´whole people´ in schools as opposed to learning facts by heart and simply acquiring factual knowledge.

The Gymnasium was originally the preparation for university, and ´alment dannende´ in that it prepared pupils for higher studies, but also for life in general in educated circles.

HTH