Danish government faces criticism over funding cuts to teaching resources amid screen time reduction initiative

The government aims to reduce screen time and encourage diverse teaching methods in public schools; however, funding for educational resources is set to decrease next year. The Center for Teaching Resources (CFU) will have to cut 37.2 million Danish kroner over the next four years, as indicated in the recently revealed budget proposal. Ann-Birthe Overholt Nicolaisen, head of CFU Denmark, expressed concern about this contradictory approach.

The CFU, operating under the Ministry of Education and Research, supports public, special, and youth schools with necessary materials nationwide, including items for math, physical education, crafts, and design. Last year, CFU loaned more than nine million educational materials. While an increase of 21.3 million kroner for books has been allocated for 2025, Nicolaisen highlighted that this so-called “book grant” cannot compensate for the upcoming cuts, which she believes will negatively impact teachers and students alike.

Gordon Ørskov Madsen, president of the Danish Teachers’ Union, echoed these sentiments, questioning the government’s sincerity in promoting reduced screen time while simultaneously cutting back on resources that would support this goal. He emphasized the necessity of varied teaching methods to engage students more effectively.

Furthermore, these budget reductions may disproportionately affect small, rural municipalities, limiting their access to CFU consultants and resource deliveries. The financial constraints are already challenging for many schools, with teachers often resorting to outdated materials when online resources fail.

Despite the government’s promise of significant investment in education, the ongoing funding cuts raise concerns about the quality of teaching and learning experiences in schools across the country.