Denmark allocates 500 million kroner annually to support weakest students in public schools

Starting in 2028, a total of 500 million Danish kroner will be allocated annually to support the country’s weakest students in public schools. A new school reform is being implemented this school year, ensuring that schools will gradually receive increasing amounts of funding until 2028. The funds are specifically earmarked to assist the ten percent of students facing the greatest academic challenges in each public school across Denmark’s municipalities.

Critics have raised concerns about the unequal distribution of this funding. For instance, in Lolland, nearly one-third of students failed their final exams in Danish and math, compared to just 1.9 percent in Gentofte. Critics argue that more money should be directed to Lolland, while Gentofte should receive less assistance, allowing more students in need to benefit from the support.

Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye has responded to this criticism, stating that the new school reform represents an overall quality enhancement for all Danish public schools, regardless of location. He emphasized that the reform should benefit everyone, affirming that a krona spent on education in Gentofte is as well utilized as one spent in Lolland.

While Tesfaye acknowledges the significant disparities in student achievement between different regions, he highlights that Lolland is receiving focused attention from the ministry due to its challenges. Additional funding of 22 million kroner has already been allocated to Lolland as part of last year’s budget negotiations, and more support is in the pipeline.

The funding to assist the weakest students will begin in the upcoming school year, with an allocation of 30 million kroner in 2024, increasing to 500 million kroner annually from 2028.