Denmark lets teachers use force to restrain disruptive pupils

Denmark has passed a law under which teachers will be able to physically restrain pupils or take them to another room if they disrupt a lesson. Danish media call it one of the most controversial measures in the school system in recent years. However, it is stressed that the law does not give anyone the right to hit children.

The new rules allow a teacher to keep a pupil in place or move them to another room against their will if, for example, they play loud music, throw food and objects, refuse to be quiet or do not leave when asked.

What is changing in the rules

At present, Danish teachers may use force only if a pupil poses an immediate danger to themselves, others or school property. The law widens that option, but all corporal punishment remains prohibited — it has been banned in Denmark since 1967, Le Monde reminds readers. The use of force must be proportionate to the situation and exceptional, and the school is obliged to inform the parents and the local municipal council immediately.

The teachers' union Danmarks Lærerforening welcomes the law: teachers have long asked for it because it is increasingly hard to cope with tense situations in classrooms. Union chair Gordon Ørskov Madsen said that many teachers do not dare to step in for fear of the consequences. “Over the past year, one in three teachers refrained from physical contact to restore calm in the classroom because they feared negative consequences,” he said.

Violence in classrooms and protests

A survey published by the Ministry of Education on 1 October showed that physical violence between pupils was reported at least once last year in 55% of classes. In 36% of them, such incidents happened at least once a month.

The reform has met resistance from education specialists and child rights organisations. More than 500 experts and non-governmental organisations had earlier signed an article protesting against the changes.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz