Swiss education system: what is new?
 |  |
| |
Reform processes are underway on various levels of the education system at present. The key political goals in education are to safeguard Switzerland's competitive position, to assure the quality of the education system, to assure permeability between different types of education and to facilitate mobility in education. Numerous developments are currently being realised, which will have a decisive influence on the Swiss education system in the coming years, particularly with regard to cooperation and harmonisation.
Developments
These include the following developments, among others (for further developments, refer to the descriptions of the various educational levels and categories):
These include the following developments, among others (for further developments, refer to the descriptions of the various educational levels and categories):
 | Education regulations in the Federal Constitution As a result of the revision of the education regulations in the Federal Constitution, the cantons are obliged to coordinate and to regulate particular key parameters. If coordination efforts fail, the Confederation assumes subsidiary responsibility for decision-making in defined areas. The inter-cantonal agreement on the harmonisation of compulsory education (HarmoS Concordat) is intended to regulate these key parameters (school starting age and compulsory school attendance, duration and objectives of the educational levels and the transition from one level to another, as well as recognition of qualifications) for compulsory education. The HarmoS Concordat came into effect on 1 August 2009. It applies to those cantons which have joined it. From this date onwards, a six-year transitional period is in place. The member cantons shall implement the content of the HarmoS Concordat by the beginning of school year 2015 / 2016 at the latest. For the member cantons, the HarmoS Concordat will lead to a harmonisation of objectives and structures in compulsory education. According to the new article on universities in the Federal Constitution (Article 63a), the Confederation and the cantons are to jointly provide for coordination and quality assurance in the Swiss higher education system. The Federal Law on the Advancement of Universities and Coordination in Swiss Higher Education is being developed as a uniform legal basis for the reorganisation of the Swiss higher education landscape. |
| New organisation of financial equalisation and tasks between the Confederation and the cantons (RET) As a result of the new organisation of financial equalisation and tasks between the Confederation and the cantons, special needs education and corresponding measures became the responsibility of the cantons as of 2008. The Confederation has ceased to provide co-funding via the invalidity insurance and has withdrawn from its corresponding co-regulatory role. Offers and measures previously covered by the invalidity insurance must be guaranteed during a 3-year transition period. The cantonal special needs education concepts, which the cantons are developing, will come into effect as of 2011 at the very latest. The inter-cantonal agreement on cooperation in special needs education (Special Needs Education Concordat) was established for the purpose of cooperation between cantons. This concordat shall come into effect once 10 cantons have joined it, but no earlier than 1 January 2011. Educational support grants are the responsibility of the cantons, whereas the Confederation contributes with subsidies. Entitlement to educational support grants (scholarships, loans) and the calculation of such grants are based on cantonal scholarship legislation. As of 2008, as a result of the new organisation of financial equalisation and tasks between the Confederation and the cantons, the cantons assume complete responsibility for educational support grants up to and including the upper secondary level and undertake all financing of such grants - the Confederation now only funds educational grants on the tertiary level. With the aim of aiding harmonisation of the 26 cantonal scholarship legislations, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education has developed an inter-cantonal agreement on the harmonisation of educational support (Scholarships Concordat). |
| Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training Since the introduction of the new Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training (effective since 01/01/2004), the tasks of implementation are now taking place in the cantons. |
| Education monitoring The Confederation and the cantons have established a national education monitoring system, so as to provide a basis for governance of the Swiss education system. |
| Further information |
