Danish government allocates funding to municipalities for failing students in mathematics and Danish

The Danish government is allocating nearly 40 million kroner to municipalities with the highest rates of students failing their final examinations in Danish and mathematics. This funding, announced by Minister of Children and Education Mattias Tesfaye during a visit to Lolland, aims to support additional training for reading and math advisors specifically in the 20 municipalities with the greatest challenges.

However, local school leaders express concerns that this approach may not effectively address the complexities of the problem. Bettina Siegvarden, principal of Byskolen in Nakskov, pointed out that focusing on a single issue will not resolve the broader difficulties faced.

The new funding is planned for 2025-2027 and will specifically aid municipalities that show significant educational challenges based on 2024 examination results. Areas like Lolland and Guldborgsund may qualify, where recent results showed nearly one-third of students on Lolland did not pass their tests, while 18% failed in Guldborgsund.

School leaders in Lolland, where about one-third of students struggled last year, emphasize the importance of having a say in how the funds are spent. Esben Nielsen, principal of Østofte Landsbyordning, echoed this sentiment, noting that it would be advantageous for schools to determine the most effective use of the funds for their unique needs.

Minister Tesfaye acknowledged the necessity of targeted efforts in Danish and mathematics, citing positive experiences from similar initiatives. He expressed a commitment to ensuring that students acquire foundational skills in these critical subjects. Furthermore, Claus Hjortdal, president of the School Leaders’ Association, supports directing resources to the most challenged municipalities but also advocates for schools to have input on allocation for maximum effectiveness.