Denmark's Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye has introduced legislation granting teachers clearer authority to use physical force against students in specific situations. The proposal aims to address what the minister calls unclear current regulations that leave school staff uncertain about intervention boundaries.
Teachers could physically guide students, briefly restrain them, or remove them from classrooms under the new rules. These measures would only apply after all other options are exhausted and must remain exceptional. Physical intervention should never replace care and educational efforts, according to the ministry document.
Tesfaye provided a concrete example: if a student films classmates in the locker room after gym class, teachers could physically take the phone under the new law. Current regulations prohibit such actions.
The Danish Union of Teachers supports what it calls a "very reasonable" proposal. Union leader Gordon Ørskov Madsen stated that clearer guidelines are needed for handling classroom conflicts. He emphasized that any physical intervention must be gentle and used only as a last resort.
Children's advocacy organization Børns Vilkår expressed strong concerns about the legislation. Chairman Rasmus Kjeldahl called it a step backward toward schools where teachers could use violence against students. He worries this could make schools feel less safe for all children.
The proposed law would move physical intervention regulations from Denmark's Penal Code to the Primary School Law. It would also require documentation of any physical interventions, unlike current rules.
Both supporters and critics agree the proposal lacks sufficient preventive measures. All involved parties have until December 10 to provide input, with final legislation expected in February.
This debate reflects broader concerns about classroom management and student safety in Danish schools. The outcome could significantly impact how teachers handle disruptive situations while balancing children's wellbeing.