Over half of Danish school classes report student violence

More than half of Danish school classes report physical violence between students. Parents with school children in Denmark should note these new government findings.

Research firms Epinion and Als Research prepared the study for the Ministry of Children and Education. Violence is most common from kindergarten to third grade. Classes with extra support needs also report higher violence.

Three-quarters of early primary classes reported violence or disruptive behavior. Most physical violence occurs outside lessons during games or sports. Only seven percent of incidents involved planned violence. Usually, one or two students cause most of the physical violence in a class.

Threats and harassment are also common. Verbal or digital threats happen monthly in 34 percent of classes. Education Minister Magnus Heunicke said the level of violence is worrying. He stated that students and teachers should not fear school. The government plans new legislation to give teachers more power to intervene. (Source: CPH Post)