Primary level: What is taught?
 |  | The general goals of the primary school consist of enabling pupils to unfold their intellectual and creative abilities, develop their physical and artistic capabilities, further their sense of responsibility in relation to themselves, others, the environment, and society. |
Subjects
The cantons determine the curricula. Curricula contain subjects or speciality fields with general goals and technical learning goals. Learning goals can be formulated for each school year or for multiple school years. In all of the cantons the following subjects are taught at the primary level:
The cantons determine the curricula. Curricula contain subjects or speciality fields with general goals and technical learning goals. Learning goals can be formulated for each school year or for multiple school years. In all of the cantons the following subjects are taught at the primary level:
 | One national language (depending on the region, German, French, Italian or Romanic), often integrated within this: writing |
| Two foreign languages (according to the EDK resolution of 25/03/2004) |
| Mathematics |
| History and Political science |
| Geography |
| Science |
| Drawing and design |
| Handicrafts |
| Music |
| Sports |
Foreign language tuition
According to the resolution of the plenary assembly of the EDK of 25 March 2004, two foreign languages are to be taught at primary level, with at least one foreign language being a national language. The first foreign language begins with the third school year at the latest (introduction in the school year 2010 / 2011 at the latest), the second foreign language begins with the fifth school year at the latest (introduction in the school year 2012 / 2012 at the latest). In different cantons, popular initiatives have been launched against the teaching of two foreign languages on the primary level.
ICT
A number of areas, such as the application of new information and communication technologies or health promotion are integrated and taught in other subjects.
PECARO
The Western Swiss PECARO framework curriculum developed for the pre-school level, the primary level and the lower secondary level has incorporated the school subjects into five specific fields: Languages, Arts, Mathematics and Sciences, Physical Education, Human Science and Humanities. In addition to this, goals are formulated both for general education and for interdisciplinary skills. The specific fields, general education and the interdisciplinary skills are all combined with each other.
According to the resolution of the plenary assembly of the EDK of 25 March 2004, two foreign languages are to be taught at primary level, with at least one foreign language being a national language. The first foreign language begins with the third school year at the latest (introduction in the school year 2010 / 2011 at the latest), the second foreign language begins with the fifth school year at the latest (introduction in the school year 2012 / 2012 at the latest). In different cantons, popular initiatives have been launched against the teaching of two foreign languages on the primary level.
ICT
A number of areas, such as the application of new information and communication technologies or health promotion are integrated and taught in other subjects.
PECARO
The Western Swiss PECARO framework curriculum developed for the pre-school level, the primary level and the lower secondary level has incorporated the school subjects into five specific fields: Languages, Arts, Mathematics and Sciences, Physical Education, Human Science and Humanities. In addition to this, goals are formulated both for general education and for interdisciplinary skills. The specific fields, general education and the interdisciplinary skills are all combined with each other.
