No money for substitute teachers

As the number of substitute teachers increases, municipalities continue cutting the funds to pay them

Despite teacher absenteeism continuing to rise following the introduction of new school reforms last August, municipalities are continuing to cut their budgets to pay substitute teachers. 

READ MORE: Schools hiring more substitutes to cover for stressed teachers

“This is a really bad place to save money,” Claus Hjortdal, the leader of Skolelederforeningen, the head teachers' union, told DR Nyheder.

“We have invested in the further education and advanced training of teachers so that they are ready to complete the work demanded by school reforms, so we need to have a lot of substitutes in place.”

Problems for school reform 
Odense had 28 million kroner in the city budget for substitutes in 2011. But this year, there is only 20 million kroner set aside in the budget for temporary teachers.

“This sounds bad,” Dorte Andreas, the chairperson of the Odense headteacher association, told DR Nyheder. “We will need plenty of substitutes next year.”

Teachers said that being forced to handle large classes without the help of substitutes puts the entire school reform process at risk. The situation in Odense is far from unique. Municipalities across the country are cutting their budgets for substitutes.

“This is foolish, said Hjortdal. “Municipalities need to invest in schools and continuing education and training to ensure that school reform is successful.”




  • The Capital Region economy grows: now is 43% of the country

    The Capital Region economy grows: now is 43% of the country

    While other regions are struggling, Hovedstaden is growing, and the Copenhagen metropolitan area is growing even more. On the employment front, around 11,000 jobs were created in Copenhagen, while Aalborg only saw an increase of 3,600.

  • DTU named best technical university in the EU

    DTU named best technical university in the EU

    The Technical University of Denmark, located half an hour from Copenhagen, has topped a new ranking of over 200 technical universities in the EU, where it stands out particularly for its excellence in research, innovation and internationalism.

  • Christmas in Denmark starts this week: a short guide

    Christmas in Denmark starts this week: a short guide

    Starting November 5, Christmas markets, ice skating, and other events will kick off the Christmas season. In Copenhagen, the big news this year is the return of ice skating at Kongens Nytorv, reopening after 16 years.

  • Are you ready to join Denmark’s new national baseball team?

    Are you ready to join Denmark’s new national baseball team?

    Baseball isn’t the first sport that comes to mind when you think of Denmark, but a dedicated group of players and volunteers is changing that. Under the leadership of Jay Cannon, a former professional baseball player from the United States, the Danish national baseball team has recently taken home the Nordic Cup, marking a turning point in the development of the sport in this country. 

  • Danes can live with Trump – but we root for Kamala

    Danes can live with Trump – but we root for Kamala

    You won’t find many Danes who hope Donald Trump wins the presidential election on Tuesday. After all, last time he wanted to buy Greenland from us. But the US is probably Denmark’s best friend in the world, even if the admiration is declining

  • These are expressions Danes resent

    These are expressions Danes resent

    You want to do well at work but find it difficult to understand the terms. Danes often say something that doesn’t quite express what they mean. Here are expressions you need to be aware of – not to use!


  • DTU named best technical university in the EU

    DTU named best technical university in the EU

    The Technical University of Denmark, located half an hour from Copenhagen, has topped a new ranking of over 200 technical universities in the EU, where it stands out particularly for its excellence in research, innovation and internationalism.

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.