School deal may harm student health, groups warn

A new school agreement in Denmark plans to reduce physical education hours for older students, remove the physical education exam, and abolish the requirement for an average of 45 minutes of daily activity. Multiple organizations, including Dansk Skoleidræt and the Danish Sports Federation (DIF), fear this will negatively impact student health and well-being. Although the agreement includes strategies to encourage movement at school, criticism arises from reduced hours and the exam’s elimination. DIF’s vice-chairman, Frans Hammer, is concerned about increasing inequality, particularly affecting children from less resourceful homes. The Minister of Children and Education, Mattias Tesfaye, defends the changes, suggesting that schools having the freedom to manage physical activities will result in more exercise, not less. He emphasizes the importance of physical facilities for play and movement and the establishment of new elective courses in collaboration with local sports associations.