Danish government plans special school for disruptive students in Odense

The Danish government is moving forward with plans to allow the municipality of Odense to establish a special school for violent and disruptive students. David Kieler, a parent who previously advocated for action in light of troubling incidents at Agedrup School, expressed his support for the government’s decision. He noted that the school had struggled to maintain a peaceful environment and lacked adequate tools to manage disruptive behavior.

Today, the Minister for Children and Education, Mathias Tesfaye, visited Odense to discuss the potential creation of this emergency school. While current regulations inhibit the establishment of such an institution, Tesfaye is eager to change that, highlighting interest from the local city council. He emphasized the need for inspiration in implementing these changes.

Kieler is optimistic that this new initiative will address ongoing issues at Agedrup School, where disturbances have persisted despite earlier parental concerns. He insists that isolating disruptive students could provide necessary consequences and support, stressing that immediate action is essential before these students transition out of primary education.

However, the proposal has received criticism from experts who argue that removing children with problematic behavior is not a viable long-term solution and brings back outdated practices. Organizations like Børns Vilkår have also challenged the idea of segregating these students, warning against the potential stigmatization.

Minister Tesfaye acknowledged the necessity of safeguarding the wider classroom environment and suggested that temporarily separating disruptive pupils could provide them with the support they need. The timeline for the new school remains unclear, though Tesfaye expressed hope for it to be realized by next summer.