Denmark Bans Multiple College Degrees

[The Two Jerseys]

Banning people from getting more than one degree at the government's expense is reasonable, but preventing them from getting multiple degrees at their own expense is idiotic.

[The Serbian Empire]

Banning people from getting more than one degree at the government's expense is reasonable, but preventing them from getting multiple degrees at their own expense is idiotic.

Indeed, but governments aren't exactly bright. Denmark will be digging their own grave.

[The Two Jerseys]

Banning people from getting more than one degree at the government's expense is reasonable, but preventing them from getting multiple degrees at their own expense is idiotic.

Indeed, but governments aren't exactly bright. Denmark will be digging their own grave.

I don't care if the Danish government runs the country into the ground as long as they keep the Lego and butter cookies coming.

[New Chalcedon]

From The Local DK(I couldn't find too many English-language stories on it):http://www.thelocal.dk/20161219/denmark-passes-education-cap-despite-protests

The Danish parliament on Monday passed a bill that will bar students from taking a second university degree.

The bill restricts individuals who already have a higher education degree from pursuing a degree in another field at the same or a lower level.

The plan’s backers say the move will save 300 million kroner per year that can instead be used to fund the dagpenge unemployment system but critics say that limiting students’ abilities to change their course of studies can lock them in to poor choices and limit their future employment possibilities.

Nearly 80,000 Danes signed a petition protesting the bill, arguing that the so-called ‘double education cap’ will not only hurt students but will rob society of future skilled workers.

The petition argues that “thousands of students will be stuck in an education in which they can’t see a future”.

“The brightest and most ambitious young people will look abroad for the education they want. We run the risk that they will not return to Denmark with their knowledge,” the petition states, adding that the education cap is “short-sited”.

“If the bill is passed, it's going to mean that thousands of students will be locked into their education without the ability to change their minds. We are already experiencing enormous uncertainty, and many have already taken the consequences of this hopeless bill by dropping out of their education,” a Facebook group organizing a Sunday protest against the bill wrote.

The bill was supported by the three government parties as well as the Danish People’s Party and the Social Democrats. Its backers say the move is a matter or priorities.

“I think it can be defended. You need to take it for what it is: the result of a political prioritization.” Higher Education Minister Søren Pind said, adding that it was “the least bad” option for finding 300 million kroner that the bill’s supporters say is need to shore up funding in the dagpenge system.

“Sometimes we make laws and are forced to say that if we had all the money in the world, this wouldn’t be where we would make limitations. But we don’t have all the money in the world, so we think this is fair,” Christine Antorini of the Social Democrats said.

News agency Ritzau reports that up to 2,200 students each year will be impacted by the bill but the government estimates that around 30 percent of those will be able to qualify for a dispensation for either health reasons or because their first education has become obsolete.

So, NSG, what's your view on this legislation?

For me, it's short sighted especially considering that you can't even get a degree if you pay for college yourself in most cases. Free education shouldn't come with any strings attached, and while I understand that sometimes cuts have to be made, binding somebody to an occupation that they may end up disliking isn't a good idea in any circumstance. All that this will result in is a brain drain as Danes go to Sweden and Germany for their education.

My first reaction was "WTF??", then I looked at the actual article, not just the headline. This was the money quote, to me:

The bill restricts individuals who already have a higher education degree from pursuing a degree in another field at the same or a lower level.

In other words, if you already have your J.D., you can't then turn around and get a Bachelor's Degreee in Law. Though, why anyone would want to....but apparently, enough ppl do that it'll save 300m kr per year.

[Shrillland]

From The Local DK(I couldn't find too many English-language stories on it):http://www.thelocal.dk/20161219/denmark-passes-education-cap-despite-protests

The Danish parliament on Monday passed a bill that will bar students from taking a second university degree.

The bill restricts individuals who already have a higher education degree from pursuing a degree in another field at the same or a lower level.

The plan’s backers say the move will save 300 million kroner per year that can instead be used to fund the dagpenge unemployment system but critics say that limiting students’ abilities to change their course of studies can lock them in to poor choices and limit their future employment possibilities.

Nearly 80,000 Danes signed a petition protesting the bill, arguing that the so-called ‘double education cap’ will not only hurt students but will rob society of future skilled workers.

The petition argues that “thousands of students will be stuck in an education in which they can’t see a future”.

“The brightest and most ambitious young people will look abroad for the education they want. We run the risk that they will not return to Denmark with their knowledge,” the petition states, adding that the education cap is “short-sited”.

“If the bill is passed, it's going to mean that thousands of students will be locked into their education without the ability to change their minds. We are already experiencing enormous uncertainty, and many have already taken the consequences of this hopeless bill by dropping out of their education,” a Facebook group organizing a Sunday protest against the bill wrote.

The bill was supported by the three government parties as well as the Danish People’s Party and the Social Democrats. Its backers say the move is a matter or priorities.

“I think it can be defended. You need to take it for what it is: the result of a political prioritization.” Higher Education Minister Søren Pind said, adding that it was “the least bad” option for finding 300 million kroner that the bill’s supporters say is need to shore up funding in the dagpenge system.

“Sometimes we make laws and are forced to say that if we had all the money in the world, this wouldn’t be where we would make limitations. But we don’t have all the money in the world, so we think this is fair,” Christine Antorini of the Social Democrats said.

News agency Ritzau reports that up to 2,200 students each year will be impacted by the bill but the government estimates that around 30 percent of those will be able to qualify for a dispensation for either health reasons or because their first education has become obsolete.

So, NSG, what's your view on this legislation?

For me, it's short sighted especially considering that you can't even get a degree if you pay for college yourself in most cases. Free education shouldn't come with any strings attached, and while I understand that sometimes cuts have to be made, binding somebody to an occupation that they may end up disliking isn't a good idea in any circumstance. All that this will result in is a brain drain as Danes go to Sweden and Germany for their education.

My first reaction was "WTF??", then I looked at the actual article, not just the headline. This was the money quote, to me:

The bill restricts individuals who already have a higher education degree from pursuing a degree in another field at the same or a lower level.

In other words, if you already have your J.D., you can't then turn around and get a Bachelor's Degreee in Law. Though, why anyone would want to....but apparently, enough ppl do that it'll save 300m kr per year.

Yeah, but getting a degree in another field can be a good idea if you discover that you don't like the profession that you've chosen. And it's not so much that they've said that they won't pay for it, that's fair enough, but the way the law is written, you can't get another degree even if you decide to pay your own way. That's the big issue.

[New Chalcedon]

My first reaction was "WTF??", then I looked at the actual article, not just the headline. This was the money quote, to me:



In other words, if you already have your J.D., you can't then turn around and get a Bachelor's Degreee in Law. Though, why anyone would want to....but apparently, enough ppl do that it'll save 300m kr per year.

Yeah, but getting a degree in another field can be a good idea if you discover that you don't like the profession that you've chosen. And it's not so much that they've said that they won't pay for it, that's fair enough, but the way the law is written, you can't get another degree even if you decide to pay your own way. That's the big issue.

Fair point.

[The Lone Alliance]

I'm guessing this is to keep people from just staying in College forever?

[Arkinesia]

Useless drivel. Apply for second degree in Scotland, or Germany or so, where it is also affordable.

That's what I'm thinking will happen. In just two or three years, the brain drain will be so big that Denmark will be forced to at least allow people to pay for one themselves if not repeal the law altogether.

And for a country with a smaller population than several US cities, that brain drain will be felt quite quickly, I would imagine.

This policy will likely go over like a lead balloon.

[The Serbian Empire]

Indeed, but governments aren't exactly bright. Denmark will be digging their own grave.

I don't care if the Danish government runs the country into the ground as long as they keep the Lego and butter cookies coming.

I fear that if they implode enough then the Legos will be sold to the PRC.

[Dooom35796821595]

I don't care if the Danish government runs the country into the ground as long as they keep the Lego and butter cookies coming.

I fear that if they implode enough then the Legos will be sold to the PRC.

Lego will inherit ownership of Denmark.

[The Conez Imperium]

Yeah, but getting a degree in another field can be a good idea if you discover that you don't like the profession that you've chosen. And it's not so much that they've said that they won't pay for it, that's fair enough, but the way the law is written, you can't get another degree even if you decide to pay your own way. That's the big issue.

Fair point.

The worst thing about this move is that this runs contrary to the "skills revolution" that has been talked about at Davos. it's like the Danes are shooting themselves in the foot in the long run.

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — ManpowerGroup, one of the world's largest jobs companies, released a report detailing how the technological revolution is going to change the employment market forever.

The company released the report, entitled "The Skills Revolution," on conjunction with the World Economic Forum's meeting of the most powerful political and business leaders across the globe in Davos, Switzerland.

It surveyed more than 18,000 employers across 43 countries and six industry sectors.

While technological developments will cause greater automation, a decrease in headcount or slow growth in hiring in some areas, it will actually create a lot of jobs too, according to Manpower.

But the key to this is to make sure the world's workforce "upskills" to be qualified enough to take on new positions. Companies need to invest in their workers to make sure they are not being left behind.

"We are seeing the emergence of a Skills Revolution — where helping people upskill and adapt to a fast-changing world of work will be the defining challenge of our time. Those with the right skills will increasingly call the shots, create opportunities and choose how, where and when they work," said Jonas Prising, Chairman & CEO at ManpowerGroup.

We cannot slow the rate of technological advance or globalization, but we can invest in employees’ skills to increase the resilience of our people and organisations.

"Those without will look to the future and not be able to see how their circumstances will improve. This polarization of the population that is playing out in front of our eyes is no good for society or for business. We need aggressive workforce development to address the widening gap between the Haves and the Have Nots

[Pope Joan]

When it comes to government funded education, I can see the rationale for this - particularly since they have dispensation for those with health reasons or where their original education became economically obsolete.

I'm a little puzzled why they can't finance their own education, however. Seems to me the government shouldn't care about that.

I agree. This is more about public budget trimming than about education. I have two postgraduate degrees, and have gained benefit from both. Education is not about climbing a ladder to higher and higher degrees, building on the lower ones. It is about LEARNING,

[Sungai Pusat]

From The Local DK(I couldn't find too many English-language stories on it):http://www.thelocal.dk/20161219/denmark-passes-education-cap-despite-protests

The Danish parliament on Monday passed a bill that will bar students from taking a second university degree.

The bill restricts individuals who already have a higher education degree from pursuing a degree in another field at the same or a lower level.

The plan’s backers say the move will save 300 million kroner per year that can instead be used to fund the dagpenge unemployment system but critics say that limiting students’ abilities to change their course of studies can lock them in to poor choices and limit their future employment possibilities.

Nearly 80,000 Danes signed a petition protesting the bill, arguing that the so-called ‘double education cap’ will not only hurt students but will rob society of future skilled workers.

The petition argues that “thousands of students will be stuck in an education in which they can’t see a future”.

“The brightest and most ambitious young people will look abroad for the education they want. We run the risk that they will not return to Denmark with their knowledge,” the petition states, adding that the education cap is “short-sited”.

“If the bill is passed, it's going to mean that thousands of students will be locked into their education without the ability to change their minds. We are already experiencing enormous uncertainty, and many have already taken the consequences of this hopeless bill by dropping out of their education,” a Facebook group organizing a Sunday protest against the bill wrote.

The bill was supported by the three government parties as well as the Danish People’s Party and the Social Democrats. Its backers say the move is a matter or priorities.

“I think it can be defended. You need to take it for what it is: the result of a political prioritization.” Higher Education Minister Søren Pind said, adding that it was “the least bad” option for finding 300 million kroner that the bill’s supporters say is need to shore up funding in the dagpenge system.

“Sometimes we make laws and are forced to say that if we had all the money in the world, this wouldn’t be where we would make limitations. But we don’t have all the money in the world, so we think this is fair,” Christine Antorini of the Social Democrats said.

News agency Ritzau reports that up to 2,200 students each year will be impacted by the bill but the government estimates that around 30 percent of those will be able to qualify for a dispensation for either health reasons or because their first education has become obsolete.

So, NSG, what's your view on this legislation?

For me, it's short sighted especially considering that you can't even get a degree if you pay for college yourself in most cases. Free education shouldn't come with any strings attached, and while I understand that sometimes cuts have to be made, binding somebody to an occupation that they may end up disliking isn't a good idea in any circumstance. All that this will result in is a brain drain as Danes go to Sweden and Germany for their education.

.....going with Galloism's point, why not just make them pay for a second degree?

It's a compromise of sorts at least; they can still go for a second degree if they want, but it will cost them however much it costs the government already to pay for it or you could have it be a graduated cost; that a second degree will maybe cost a fifth of how much it costs to run the degree through, but that it then becomes half and then full cost, so you help to accommodate poorer students who might feel unsure about their first degree while also discouraging people from repeatedly living off of the system to ensure that they don't have to support themselves. (Barring that and for those who do actually want to use all of their degrees to work, maybe there could be a scholarship programme for those people specifically)

This move feels heavy handed, basically.

[Forsher]

Banning people from getting more than one degree at the government's expense is reasonable, but preventing them from getting multiple degrees at their own expense is idiotic.

Not that the article says the first thing... although it is definitely suggestive of the latter.

[Great Nepal]

Pretty sure they're just not funding second degree at equal or lower levels to the degree the student already has excluding certain professions of demand, if a university takes private funding the student can still pay for themselves; which makes perfect sense.

[Frank Zipper]

The only possible argument I can think of for banning people who pay for their own second degree, is if by doing so they take up places and stop other people taking first degrees to the detriment of the country.

That said I am not sure if Denmark are banning people from paying for their own second degree.

[New Chalcedon]

I can think of two reasons why this might be defensible:

1. Even "full fee-paying", and therefore "unsubsidized" students are using facilities built and maintained on the public purse;

2. Every place taken by someone who already has a higher degree is one less for someone who has no degree at all - at least until enrolments grow to the point of justifying (in an ever-more-corporate environment) an additional class in a given unit.

Not sure either would be good enough, but there it is.

[Scandinavian Nations]

Free education shouldn't come with any strings attached,

Free education should most definitely come with strings attached. Would you want to give free education to, for instance, people who have just arrived from another EU country, and have every intention to immediately move back once they get their papers?

For me, it's short sighted especially considering that you can't even get a degree if you pay for college yourself in most cases.

It's a socialist country in Europe. They probably don't even realize that such a thing exists.

"Pay for education? Out of your own pocket? Who and why would possibly spend their own money on that?"

[I didnt vote for Trump]

https://sputniknews.com/europe/20161220 ... ty-degree/

He is also reported to have also said that students may in some cases be able to pay for degrees themselves, that every other year, the ministry of higher education and science will work out a list of higher education fields where there is a pronounced need for candidates. In such instances, students may be permitted to take a second degree in that field.
/

So from that quote, if it turns out to be true, the only people who will find themselves well and truly hard done by this are those who want to transfer from one field into another with worse employment prospects AND who can't pay for it themselves.

[The Two Jerseys]

Banning people from getting more than one degree at the government's expense is reasonable, but preventing them from getting multiple degrees at their own expense is idiotic.

Not that the article says the first thing... although it is definitely suggestive of the latter.

It most certainly does say the first thing. EU citizens get free university tuition in Denmark.

[Shrillland]

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201612201048799443-denmark-students-university-degree/

He is also reported to have also said that students may in some cases be able to pay for degrees themselves, that every other year, the ministry of higher education and science will work out a list of higher education fields where there is a pronounced need for candidates. In such instances, students may be permitted to take a second degree in that field.
/

So from that quote, if it turns out to be true, the only people who will find themselves well and truly hard done by this are those who want to transfer from one field into another with worse employment prospects AND who can't pay for it themselves.

I did read that article, and to be honest, the idea of granting exemptions simply because the government wants more people going into certain occupations rather than a person wanting a career change is a little disquieting to me.

[New Rogernomics]

When it comes to government funded education, I can see the rationale for this - particularly since they have dispensation for those with health reasons or where their original education became economically obsolete.

I'm a little puzzled why they can't finance their own education, however. Seems to me the government shouldn't care about that.

Because student loans create debt, and there is incentive to be had in keeping students out of debt so they can concentrate on their careers, and better yet stay in the country and contribute.* People in Denmark can finance their own education, and a student loan scheme does exist however. I wish governments cared a lot more about student debt, rather than allowing a debt mountain the way the US government does.

*High student debt can mean a lot of times that students have to leave the state or country rather than settle for less at home.

[Herargon]

Not a good idea. Keeping the first college degree free and the second one partially subsidised would work better imho.

[Ashmoria]

300mil doesn't seem like enough savings for the detriment of not being able to get a second degree. maybe just some rational restrictions on those who just don't want to go out and get a job would be a better idea

[Riysa]

Dumb, dumb, and dumb. Getting multiple degrees is almost necessary in some fields, in particular some of the hard science specialties. If this doesn't get amended or overturned quickly, I can see plenty of people leaving the country in pursuit of higher education elsewhere.

Honestly though, why don't they grant a blanket exception to everyone to let them pay for their own education? I find it strange that the government wouldn't allow that, unless there's another underlying cause here.