Norddjurs Kommune is reviewing the future of its public schools, and closures of school branches are among the proposals on the table. Parents in Vivild have formed a group to save Langhøjskolen.
DR reported on August 13 that many parents in Norddjurs Kommune fear their local folkeskole will be shut down. The municipality is working out what the future should look like for pupils in its public schools.
Last week, the municipality decided to spare Toubroskolen near Trustrup, outside Grenaa. According to DR, that decision put additional pressure on the other small schools in the municipality. Alexander Myrhøj of SF, who chairs the children, family and school committee, says the proposals sent forward include closures of school branches.
Janne Kastrup has two children at Langhøjskolen in Vivild. She told DR that she fears newcomers will stop moving to the town. Over time, she says, that could close nurseries and kindergartens and leave the area heading toward a ghost town.
Kastrup has started the group Bevar Langhøjskolen, which she says now has 80 members. As reported by DR, the group has produced t-shirts, banners and signs that hang around the town. She acknowledges that the school building is worn, but does not think its condition justifies closure.
Committee points to wellbeing and results
Myrhøj says he understands why residents fear for their schools. He argues that the process should be seen positively, because politicians are acting on the school area. Per DR, he says pupil wellbeing is not at a satisfactory level and that academic results are not good enough either.
The debate follows a formal municipal process. Documents from Norddjurs Kommune show that the children, family and school committee handled recommendations for the future folkeskole on May 27, 2026. The same committee paper states that the recommendations were sent into public consultation until June 22, 2026.
The municipality’s process plan for “Fremtidens folkeskoler” sets out that proposals for the schools can be sent into a formal hearing. Committee records also show that an extraordinary committee meeting was held on August 5, 2026. That indicates the process is moving forward through meetings and hearings this summer.
Norddjurs Kommune is due to decide at the end of September which scenarios for the schools’ future will be sent out for consultation. DR reports that closures of school branches remain part of the material forwarded by the committee. No final decision on individual schools has been made.
Similar processes have played out elsewhere in Denmark, where rural schools face closure over pupil numbers and building costs. Research cited in earlier reporting has also examined whether small schools match city schools academically.
