Sustained or increased? post-COVID provision of education outside the classroom in Denmark

Regular Education Outside the Classroom (EOtC) can enhance students’ motivation, learning, and physical activity. To assess the development in occurrence of EOtC after COVID-19 in Danish schools, we conducted a structured survey by e-mail and telephone. Compared to a stable period between 2014 and 2019, using Bayesian methods an increased prevalence of regular EOtC in Denmark in 2023 was observed, likely influenced by the outdoor teaching practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general schools, since 2019 the EOtC prevalence increased by 12.1% points to 29.4% (95% CRI: 19.6, 41.3) in 2023, and in special needs schools, it rose by 22.5% points to 56.6% (95% CRI: 21.8, 86.0). Given the challenges related to curriculum restraints, time and transportation costs to suitable locations, there are emphasized needs for further education of teachers and for planning accessible, nearby green environments for schools.