Public school isn’t free – and children are paying the price
Even though tuition in Danish public schools (folkeskolen) is free of charge, going to school comes with financial costs in practice. More than half of parents living in poverty find that these expenses strain the familys finances. This affects the children's ability to participate in the class community. In its government platform, the Danish government has committed to putting an end to out-of-pocket expenses for particularly vulnerable families in public schools. Children and civil society organisations are now calling for action.
All children have the right to free public school education. This is stated in the Danish Constitution. However, when everyday reality sets in, schooling includes a wide range of expenses that not all families can afford – such as class funds, school camps, school photos, day trips, school supplies, and social events.
This is shown in two new studies conducted by Epinion and Maple. The findings are published in Egmont Indsigt (Egmont Insight), released by the Egmont Foundation, produced this time in partnership with Skole og Forældre (National parent organisation), Danske Skoleelever (Danish public school pupils), Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark), Mødrehjælpen (Social-humanitarian organisation for vulnerable families) og Odense Kommune (Municipality of Odense).
Among parents below the poverty line, more than half (54 per cent) answer that the parental expenses in connection with their children's schooling challenge the family's finances. And the consequences are noticeable: 22 percent of parents in poverty who feel challenged by the costs say that the child sometimes cannot participate in trips and activities during school hours. 30% assess that their child is occasionally excluded from class activities after school. Furthermore, 27% report that their child feels left out of the class community.
This is shown by Epinion's study among 1739 parents of children in primary school, including 505 parents who live below the poverty line. The study is supplemented by a series of qualitative interviews conducted by Maple with students in grades 7-9 from families with a strained economy, as well as parents and teachers.
"The children talk about saying no to activities, feeling left out of the community and about finding strategies to not burden the family's finances. It is not the children's responsibility to solve this problem – it is the adults' responsibility, and therefore we must listen to the children who are affected by the costs in and around the school. Because they clearly say that they want to be part of the community," says Heidi Sørensen, director of Egmont’s Grant Adminstration.
In addition, many families experience pressure to contribute to the class community. 44% of parents in poverty experience pressure from the parent group – and only one in three experience that the class fund is communicated as voluntary, even though it must be so according to the rules.
Organisations call for action
In its government platform, the government affirmed its intention to put an end to vulnerable families facing out-of-pocket costs in public schools. This commitment is welcomed by the organisations that have contributed to qualifying the two studies:
“No pupil should have to stay home when the class goes on a trip simply because their family cannot afford it. That undermines both the community and friendships. We must take responsibility for ensuring that pupils experience a school environment where their financial background is never a barrier to taking part,” says Madicken Luther, chairperson Danske Skoleelever (Danish public school pupils).
”Far too many parents feel that school has become too expensive. We need to address this at multiple levels. Politicians should pay particular attention to the rising fees for after-school care (SFO), which too many families are now forced to decline, resulting in children being left on the outside. At Skole og Forældre, we have also worked over the past few years to drive a cultural shift regarding expenses both inside and outside of school. We will naturally continue that work – because the children deserve it,” says Regitze Spenner Ishøy, Chairperson of Skole og Forældre (National parent organisation).
"Children's opportunities to be a part of the class community must not depend on the size of their parents' wallets. When expenses in school mean that some children are outside the community, we are failing a fundamental principle in primary school: that every child should be able to participate. Schools must reduce social divides, not reinforce them. That is why political action is needed to eliminate parental payment in public schools," says Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, secretary general Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark).
"It is absolutely necessary that the government gets started with the work on parental-payment that it has announced – and it cannot happen too soon. Far too many children from vulnerable families already feel excluded from the community. We simply cannot accept this. Public school must not only be free to attend; it must also be free to belong" says Ninna Thomsen, director of Mødrehjælpen(social-humanitarian organisation for vulnerable families).
“In Odense, we have asked schools and daycare institutions to take an active stance. We have also allocated funds directly to local initiatives across the city's public schools, which have been used for bicycle banks, free school events, and school supplies, ensuring that a lack of basic necessities does not exclude anyone. We cannot just sit back and watch while children are left out. After all, they are entirely without blame in their situation”, says Brian Dybro, councilman for Children and Youth in Odense Municipality.
Five recommendations for decision-makers, municipalities and schools
Based on the testimonies of the children and parents in the two surveys, Skole og Forældre, Red Barnet, Mødrehjælpen, Danske Skoleelever, Odense Municipality og Egmont Grant Adminstration together, call for:
Listen to the children! They want to be part of the community, regardless of their family's financial situation. This should serve as a guiding principle for everyone making decisions about public schools: from Parliament (Christiansborg) to parent meetings.
View the community as a whole: Consideration must also be given to expenses for after-school care (SFO), youth clubs, and after-school activities. Every child must be able to participate so friendships can be formed and maintained.
Take political responsibility for ensuring everyone can participate: Rules and guidelines must be clearly communicated to everyone in and around the school – to municipalities, school leaders, teachers, pedagogues, and parents.
Be clear about voluntary expenses: Class funds, school photos, and other costs can feel like an entry ticket to the community. Ensure they are genuinely voluntary so families on tight budgets do not feel pressured.
Raise awareness of financial barriers: Foster dialogue at school and among parents about how finances can be a barrier. Choose activities in which everyone can take part. And communicate expenses directly to parents – because children should not have to act as messengers between school and home.
For more information
Head of Press and Communications at Egmont's Grant Adminstration, Tine Pind Jørum, tel. 2711 6896, tj@egmont.com
Communications Manager at Skole og Forældre, Majken Aaboe Schultz, tel. 2547 0614, mas@skole-forældre.dk
Head of Press at Red Barnet, Laurids Bæk Simonsen, tel. 2283 3692, labs@redbarnet.dk.
Head of Press at Mødrehjælpen, Anna Gottschalk, tel. 22101895, agj@moedrehjaelpen.dk
Political Consultant in Danske Skoleelever, Claus Drachman Kaasby-Wang, tel. 6040 2070, cdkw@skoleelever.dk
Councilman for Children and Youth in Odense Municipality, Brian Dybro, contact via press phone of Børn- og Ungeforvaltningens, tel. 6375 4525, dybro@odense.dk
