Record-High Number of Greenlandic Youth Struggle in Danish Schools

A record-high number of Greenlandic youth struggle when they arrive in Denmark to further their education. Language trouble and lack of basic necessities as well as money prove detrimental for many.

According to Greenlandic broadcaster KNR, Danish boarding schools for youths aged 14 to 18 are reporting of serious challenges for some of their pupils coming from Greenland.

Some pupils lack sufficient Danish language skills to participate in teaching or social situations. Others arrive in Denmark without necessities such as e.g. sportswear, toiletries or personal computers, Danish school advisers say. Some even lack money when they arrive at the airport, and do not have means to travel on from there to the airport to their school.

Statistics show that nearly 20 % of Greenlandic pupils attending boarding schools in Denmark fail to complete their education there. For Greenlandic pupils attending such schools in Greenland, the numbers are even more dire. About one in three pupils do not complete their Efterskole education.

250-300 Greenlandic students start boarding school in Denmark every year.