Launching National Action Plan to Address Prolonged School Absence

The number of students with high levels of absence in Danish primary and lower secondary schools has risen significantly, prompting the government to present a national action plan to tackle the issue.

In the 2023–2024 school year, approximately 25,000 students had an absence corresponding to at least 40 school days. This has serious consequences for both the children and their families.

The government’s new action plan includes 22 initiatives aimed at addressing prolonged and concerning absenteeism. These initiatives span the education, social, and health sectors and are intended to provide better support and more coordinated efforts for children and young people at risk of losing their connection to school.

“Many Danes have seen the documentaries on DR about children who are involuntarily absent from school for long periods. It takes a heavy toll on families. We have already launched a number of measures to prevent absenteeism and help students return to school. But in my view, more is needed. Therefore, we will soon begin negotiations on, among other things, special education and the rules on absence due to illness,” says Minister for Children and Education Mattias Tesfaye.

The action plan has been developed in collaboration with organizations, researchers, and experts and will be published in two parts. The first part has now been released, while the second part is expected in 2026, once VIVE completes its study on prolonged concerning absenteeism.

In June 2025, a legislative expert group presented a series of recommendations for changes to the rules on inclusion and special education. The group proposes adjustments aimed at ensuring more students can thrive in mainstream education and that fewer are referred to segregated educational options. A key focus is earlier and more consistent intervention in cases of concerning absence and a better balance between individual needs and the broader community.

As part of this effort, the expert group also proposes a new model for a strengthened approach to absenteeism. This model includes new responsibilities for school principals, requirements for a pedagogical-didactic action plan when a student withdraws from the school community, and increased involvement from municipal psychological and educational counseling services (PPR). In cases of 15 days of absence within a quarter, absentee teaching must be initiated to support the student’s reconnection with school.

The 22 initiatives in the action plan are wide-ranging. They include proposed legislative changes for inclusion and special education, clarification of rules to allow support for entire classes, and new patient rights in child and adolescent psychiatry. The plan also emphasizes prevention and early intervention, with accessible treatment options and improved support for children with ADHD and autism.

Simultaneously, the initiatives aim to strengthen the mainstream school system through measures such as hiring more staff in daycare institutions, lowering class sizes in the early school years, enabling postponed school start, and offering more practical teaching. A new psychology-focused master’s program for teachers and pedagogues is also intended to enhance professional competence in working with children in distress.

Finally, collaboration between schools, families, and municipalities will be reinforced. The government is proposing models for partnerships and cooperation, including opportunities for municipalities to work with the Danish Social Investment Fund.

The Minister for Children and Education will invite parliamentary partners to negotiations based on the expert group’s recommendations and the overall action plan.

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