School principal rejects claims students are lazier

A Danish high school principal has dismissed criticism that this year’s graduates are less capable or harder-working than previous generations, following a report in Berlingske newspaper.

Lars Roesen, principal of Ringkøbing Gymnasium in western Jutland, responded on LinkedIn to the article, which quoted 25 anonymous teachers claiming many new graduates lack key skills due to reliance on artificial intelligence.

“Today’s youth are not stupider or lazier than before,” Roesen wrote. He described his own graduates as “kind, intelligent, and hardworking,” adding they simply work differently by using available tools.

“We did the same when I was in school, and when my grandparents were,” he said. “Things change, so you can’t expect them to know the same things as 30 or 50 years ago.”

Roesen argued against shaming students for using AI, stating that adults—including policymakers and educators—must address the issue instead.