Denmark’s World-Lowest Harassment Rate Thanks to This Mandatory School Subject!

Being bullied at school, whether through physical pushing, mocking, or exclusion, is a reality many students face throughout their academic journey. Such experiences can undermine their confidence, increase their anxiety, and diminish their enjoyment of school. This widespread issue concerns both parents and teachers, who are on the lookout for ways to improve children’s daily lives. However, spotting the signs of bullying can often be challenging.

In response to school bullying, several countries, including France, have launched various initiatives to combat this issue. France has recently implemented awareness programs like the national “No to Harassment” day and alert systems in schools. Yet, it’s in Denmark where one of the most innovative and effective approaches can be found. Since 1993, Denmark has made empathy and kindness classes mandatory from the age of 6 as part of its school curriculum.

These weekly sessions, known as “Klassens Tid” in middle school, involve practical activities like drawing on a classmate’s back to foster kindness, or using a teddy bear that children can give to a distressed peer. “It allows the children to be closer to each other,” shared teacher Michelle Kelly with Franceinfo. The success of this Danish method is impressive and speaks for itself. Over three decades, these empathy classes have reportedly reduced bullying incidents by threefold, giving Denmark one of the lowest rates globally, according to Radio France data. But Denmark’s model doesn’t stop with empathy classes.

A stringent law was enacted in 2017, requiring schools to establish a prevention strategy and an action plan for reported incidents. “The idea is: the more I know you, the less likely I am to bully you,” explained Henrik Busborg, a math teacher who prioritizes class cohesion over academic skills. This philosophy permeates the entire Danish educational system, which employs a “collaborative pedagogy” to “ensure that children work together as much as possible.” This approach is now inspiring other European countries in their efforts to tackle school bullying.