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Danish government plans funding shift to support rural schools and combat educational deserts

The government of Denmark plans to revise the allocation of funding for educational institutions, focusing on strengthening smaller schools in rural areas. With a new funding model, the government aims to redistribute financial resources from larger schools to smaller ones, addressing the concern of educational deserts in remote regions. Minister for Education and Children, Mattias Tesfaye (Socialdemokratiet – Social Democratic Party) and Minister for City, Rural, and Church Affairs, Morten Dahlin (Venstre – Liberal Party), have made it clear that this redistribution is a deliberate political priority.

Morten Dahlin emphasizes the importance of educational opportunities throughout the country: “We believe that it is of intrinsic value that education can be accessed in many places in Denmark.” The upcoming demographic shift, which is expected to see a decline in youth populations, particularly challenges outer areas. This could result in a reduction of cities offering STX programs (the Danish upper secondary school program) from 85 today to only 75 by 2035, a situation that the government does not intend to accept, according to Tesfaye.

A key part of the solution is a new and increased rural grant of 3.8 million Danish kroner (approximately $569,000) per institution. Additionally, the funding model will be adjusted so that schools with over 700 students will receive reduced funding, while smaller schools will receive more support. For instance, Silkeborg Gymnasium and Roskilde Katedralskole are slated to see reductions in funding of six and five percent respectively. Conversely, Frederikshavn Handelsskole and Vestfyns Gymnasium will experience funding increases of 11 and eight percent.

The redistribution involves reallocating 149 million Danish kroner (about $22 million) to smaller educational institutions, largely without introducing new funds. Morten Dahlin explains that the economies of scale provided by larger institutions justify this redistribution, as it focuses on using taxpayer money more effectively.

Tesfaye acknowledges that the proposal will likely generate dissatisfaction among larger schools but appeals for understanding: “We live in a country, and those who reside in areas without a gymnasium (upper secondary school) or vocational school in their town also have a right to have access to youth education nearby.”

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