Teachers Allowed to Physically Remove Children from Class: Denmark Prepares New Rules for Schools

The bill stipulates that educators will be able to apply limited physical force if a student poses a danger to themselves or others, or seriously disrupts order in the classroom. "Teachers should not doubt what they are allowed to do when a situation escalates. No teacher should fear being fired for preventing violence," said Denmark's Minister of Education. The initiative was prompted by reports of increasing cases of aggressive behavior among students. According to a study by the Danish Working Environment Authority, more than a quarter of surveyed teachers reported that they have encountered such situations more frequently. Additionally, incidents of violence against teachers were recorded in approximately one in five classrooms. The new rules have not yet come into effect: the bill still needs to be approved by the Danish Parliament. Authorities emphasize that these measures are solely about ensuring safety and order, and not about the right to physically punish children.