Minister of Education in Denmark under fire for alleged derogatory remarks about children, termed as "disgraceful" by critics.
Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye has sparked controversy in Denmark with his proposal to give teachers more power to manage unruly students. The proposal, which includes allowing teachers to use physical force in certain situations, has been met with criticism not just for its substance but also for the way the minister has framed it.
Tesfaye's proposal has been criticized as "shameful and populist" by school researcher Louise Klinge, who took issue with the minister's use of the term "PDO" or "pisse dårligt opdragede" to describe disruptive children. Klinge expressed concerns about stigmatization and inappropriate labeling of children.
Danish charity director Rasmus Kjeldahl also voiced his opposition to the proposal, arguing that the use of physical methods in schools can lead to higher absence rates and risk damaging children's wellbeing or exacerbating difficult situations. Kjeldahl suggested that children who misbehave may be reacting to problems at home, such as abuse or addiction, and may have undiagnosed conditions.
Instead of shaming and isolating these children, Kjeldahl argued that the system should offer them the necessary treatment. The national trade union for teachers, Danmarks Lærerforening, also expressed concerns about the proposal, calling Tesfaye's choice of words "regrettable."
Despite the controversy, Tesfaye has not been confirmed to have an old-fashioned view of education. In the past, he has described his views as being focused on group dynamics and noted that current legislation focuses heavily on the rights of the individual student, sometimes at the expense of the group.
Tesfaye has previously stated that if a student disrupts teaching for others, then others are entitled to have someone intervene. He gave a specific example of lifting a child by the armpits to remove them from a disruptive situation, which is currently not permitted under Danish laws. The specifics of Tesfaye's proposal are still being worked out by the government.
Children's charity Børns Vilkår and an expert both directly oppose the idea. Børns Vilkår's director, Rasmus Kjeldahl, described the abbreviation as an "easy insult" and was "angry" when he read it. The independent researcher and expert on schools and children, Louise Klinge, also criticized Tesfaye's use of the term "PDO."
The proposal is controversial in Denmark, as it goes against the country's laws banning physical punishment for children since 1967 for teachers and 1997 for parents. It remains to be seen how the government will proceed with the proposal and whether it will face further opposition.
