Denmark's Children and Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye wants to give teachers more physical intervention powers. The proposal would allow educators to physically restrain or remove students who significantly disrupt classroom instruction. Teachers currently may only use physical force when students endanger themselves, others, or school property.
The draft legislation clarifies existing rules about teacher authority. It specifies when educators can physically intervene in classroom situations. The minister sent the proposal for public consultation this week.
Children's advocacy group Børns Vilkår calls the plan a step backward. The organization's director warned this approach could increase school refusal rates. "I predict we'll see more children avoiding school," the director said in a statement.
The proposed Danish education changes come amid ongoing debates about classroom management. Teachers have sought clearer guidelines about maintaining order. Yet child welfare experts question whether physical intervention addresses root causes of behavioral issues.
This push for expanded teacher powers reflects growing concerns about classroom disruptions in Danish schools. The government appears to prioritize collective learning environments over individual student considerations. Critics argue the approach might exacerbate existing educational challenges rather than solving them.