Anya Palm advocates against special school merger amid funding issues in Kolding

The disconnect between political promises and reality is highlighted by the case of Anya Palm, a frustrated mother from Kolding. While the Danish government, led by Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen, has allocated additional funds for local welfare in the new budget, Kolding Municipality faces the need to cut 86 million DKK over the next three years.

Mayor Knud Erik Langhoff acknowledges the increase in funding but emphasizes that the municipality should have the freedom to use these resources for welfare, which is currently not possible. “We shouldn’t be unhappy about receiving more funds, but we should have the opportunity to allocate them to welfare,” he stated.

Anya Palm is currently advocating against the proposed merger of the special school her daughter, Thyra, attends with a regular school. Thyra, who has infantile autism, is thriving in an environment designed for students with similar needs. Anya worries that merging will profoundly affect her daughter’s well-being, as even small changes can significantly impact autistic individuals.

Across Denmark, several mayors are reacting to government funding strategies. Steffen Jensen, Mayor of Halsnæs, warns that the current system is dysfunctional, with some municipalities receiving funds they cannot use, while others suffer from declining revenues.

Erik Flyvholm, Mayor of Lemvig, agrees, expressing frustration over creating budgets based on uncertain annual funding. He notes that this situation precludes necessary discussions about long-term development.

In response, Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen plans to reassess how annual funds are distributed. Meanwhile, Anya Palm and hundreds of other parents are demonstrating in Kolding, hoping to preserve the special school amidst the financial turmoil.