Several schools with a high percentage of students from non-Danish backgrounds are reporting that discussions about the Israel-Palestine conflict are manageable and do not cause problems, despite concerns raised by Parliament. This comes after a decision by the Presidium of Parliament to exclude the topic of recognizing Palestine as an independent state from the upcoming school election in 2026, citing fears that the debate could be disruptive.

Headmasters from various schools are pushing back against this decision.

John Nielsen, headmaster at Nørrebro Park Skole, where around 40% of students have a non-Danish ethnic background, believes that suppressing discussion is more dangerous than allowing it. He stated that the subject is already being discussed in some classes without issue.

Helle Mønster, head of Ellehøjskolen, where approximately 90% of students have a non-Danish ethnic background, echoed this sentiment. She emphasized that the school has discussed the Gaza conflict extensively without problems and that censoring topics contradicts the goal of educating young people for democratic participation. She stressed the importance of establishing clear guidelines for discussions to prevent conflicts.

Similar reports have come from Vestre Skole and Gl. Lindholm Skole, both of which have around 25% students with a non-Danish ethnic background.

The decision by the Presidium of Parliament was reportedly based on guidance from the Danish Agency for Education and Quality (Stuk). However, this guidance was based on a “letter of concern” that many of the original senders now claim has been misinterpreted.

Gordon Ørskov Madsen, chairman of the Danish Teachers’ Association, stated that Parliament should reverse its decision. Five out of the six associations behind the letter believe that Stuk misunderstood its message.

The letter was initially sent after the 2024 school election in response to the Danish People’s Party Youth (DFU) distributing fake plane tickets that appeared to be one-way tickets from Denmark to the Middle East. The associations’ intention was to prevent students from feeling “shamed,” not to deselect topics for future elections.

The purpose of the school election, which is held every two years for students in 8th-10th grade, is to strengthen young people’s democratic education and political self-confidence. The election simulates a parliamentary election campaign and culminates in an election night at Christiansborg, where the results are broadcast on national television.