Several schools with a significant number of students from non-Danish ethnic backgrounds are reporting that discussions about the Israel-Palestine conflict are being managed without issues, despite concerns raised by the Parliament regarding its inclusion in the upcoming school election. These schools argue that open dialogue is crucial and manageable with proper frameworks.

The Parliament’s Presidium decided against including the topic “Recognize Palestine as an independent state” in the next school election, prompting debate. The Speaker of the Parliament voiced concerns that the discussion could potentially “set fire to a class” due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Headmasters from various schools are challenging this assessment. John Nielsen, headmaster at Nørrebro Park Skole in Copenhagen, where approximately 40 percent of students have a non-Danish ethnic background, believes that suppressing discussion is more detrimental. He stated that the topic is already being discussed in some classes without any problems.

Helle Mønster, head of Ellehøjskolen in Aarhus, where around 90 percent of students have a non-Danish ethnic background, echoed this sentiment. She emphasized that the school has successfully discussed the Gaza conflict without escalating tensions. Mønster stressed the importance of educating young people for democratic participation and argued against censorship, advocating for clear rules and frameworks for conversation.

Similar reports are coming from Vestre Skole in Odense and Gl. Lindholm Skole in Aalborg, both of which have around 25 percent of students with a non-Danish ethnic background.

The decision to exclude the topic from the school election was initially reported earlier this month. The Speaker of the Parliament explained that the topic could be divisive and difficult to discuss properly within the allocated 20-minute timeframe, potentially hindering rather than promoting democratic conversation.

The school election, held every two years for students in 8th-10th grade, aims to strengthen young people’s democratic formation and political self-confidence. The event simulates a parliamentary election campaign and culminates in an election night at the Parliament, with the results broadcasted on national television.