Graduate Studies and Applied Research

Discussant: ABEGAIL B. CABRAL

Course: EdD Major in Educational Management
Educ 602 Comparative Education
Topic: SWITZERLAND: THE SWISS EDUCATION SYSTEM:
OVERVIEW AND CHARACTERICS
Professor: Eden C. Callo, EdD

Written Report on SWITZERLAND: THE SWISS EDUCATION SYSTEM:

OVERVIEW AND CHARACTERICS

CONTENT

• Key features of Swiss Education

• The Swiss Education System Structure
• Challenges in Switzerland Education
• Philippines and Switzerland Educational System Comparative Analysis

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Switzerland is located in the nub of the Europe and has a long
tradition of freedom. In the mid-15th century, schools were primarily designed
to meet the needs of vocational training.  During this time, the University of
Basel, Switzerland’s oldest University, was established in 1460 with a grant of
Pope Pius II. In the 19th and 20th century, several Swiss names were
prominent in the area of education. With the onslaught of liberalization in the
19th century, more focus was put on education, and in 1850, compulsory
school attendance was introduced in cantons. Education remained the
responsibility of the cantons.

KEY FEATURES OF SWISS EDUCATION

Switzerland is a federal and multilingual country with a decentralized
education system. The primary responsibility for education lies with the 26
Cantons (states). While the Cantons are responsible for compulsory
education, the Cantons and the Federal Government share responsibilities for
post-compulsory education (general education schools, vocational and
professional education and training, universities). Decentralization is reflected
in the fact that the cantons and their municipalities finance 90% of public
expenditure on education.
 Decentralization - is the process by which the activities of an
organization, particularly those regarding planning and decision making, are
distributed or delegated away from central, authoritative location or group.
Cantons- Historically, each canton had its own army and money.
That changed in 1848 when Switzerland came out of civil war and switched to
the federal structure it has now. This means that each canton (region) now
has its own government, laws, and constitution.
The 26 Cantons in Switzerland

1. The Canton of Zurich 14. The Canton of Schaffhausen

2. The Canton of Berne 15. The Canton of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden
3. The Canton of Lucerne 16. The Canton of Appenzell-Innerrhoden
4. The Canton of Uri 17. The Canton of St.Gallen
5. The Canton of Schwyz 18. The Canton of Graubünden
6. The Canton of Obwalden 19. The Canton of Aargau
7. The Canton of Nidwalden 20. The Canton of Thurgau
8. The Canton of Glarus   21. The Canton of Ticino
9. The Zug Canton 22. The Canton of Vaud
10. The Canton of Fribourg 23. The Canton of Valais
11. The Canton of Solothurn 24. The Canton of Neuchatel
12. The Canton of Basel-Stadt 25. The Canton of Geneva
13. The Canton of Basel-Landschaft 26. Canton of Jura

Each canton sets its school calendar, curriculum, and criteria. This system is
overseen by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
(SERI).
The Confederation and the Cantons have a joint obligation to ensure a high
degree of quality and permeability within the education system. In the performance
of this duty, the entire education system in Switzerland is systematically monitored,
key challenges are identified and the achievement of policy goals is evaluated on a
regular basis. The Swiss Education Report, which is published every four years, is
one result of this monitoring process.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)-SERI is the
federal government's specialized agency for national and international
matters concerning education, research and innovation policy.
In compulsory education 95% of all children attend public schools in their local
municipality. There is no free choice of school in compulsory education. Public
schools play an important role in integration. Children who have different social,
linguistic and cultural backgrounds all attend the same school. Public schools in
compulsory education are free of charge.
 The language of instruction is German, French, Italian or Romansh,
depending on the language region. Traditionally, language learning is important in
Switzerland.
Switzerland has a strong vocational and professional education system
(VET).
More than 90% of all young people acquire a certificate or diploma at upper
secondary level, which facilitates direct entry into the job market or enables them to
continue education at tertiary level.
Most notably, children and young adolescents with special educational
needs have a right to education and support from specialists from birth up until their
20th birthday. Children are assessed by specialized agencies of their canton and
are given support through their school, which is also mainly free, though some
special cases may vary.
Switzerland’s education system is one of the most advanced in the world.
Switzerland is the go-to choice for many students looking to study
internationally.  The system is well established and functional with delegated
accountability and administration.
A distinctive characteristic of the Swiss education system is taking into
account the wishes and the abilities of students. This attribute is done by
diversifying the different directions a student can take once they’re done with their
primary education. Although the cantons administer the education system, a thing
they all have in common is that they have this diversity.
Best Countries for Education-2022

1.The United States

2.The United Kingdom
3.Germany
4.Canada
5.France
6.Switzerland
7.Japan
8. Sweden
9. Australia
10.The Netherlands
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education
SWISS COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Education is compulsory for all children and young people from 9 to 11 years.
Children start compulsory education when they are about four to six years old until
about when they turn 15 years old. The cantons also regulate this.
 Primary Level
1. Kindergarten/Pre-school- (4-6 years old)
2. Primary School- (6- 11 years old)
 Secondary Level
1. Lower Secondary Level- (12-15/16 years old)

Even though there are private schools in Switzerland, most students attend

public schools in the local area. This brings diversity so children can experience
many different backgrounds, including, sometimes, linguistic backgrounds. Public
schools are free of charge, and kids are not required to wear uniforms.

PRIMARY EDUCATION
• It includes Pre-School and Primary Schools.
 PRE-SCHOOL (4-6 YEARS OLD)
The structure of the educational system starts with preschool education. It is
called kindergarten in German-speaking Switzerland, école enfantine in the
French-speaking area, and scuola dell'infanzia in the Italian-speaking canton of
Ticino.
In all cantons children have the right to a preschool education for at least one
year. In some cantons two years of preschool education are financed. Preschool
education is not compulsory; however, it is almost universally attended. An average
of 99 percent of all children throughout Switzerland receive preprimary education
during the year before they start compulsory education, and 63 percent attend for
two years. In Switzerland the cantons and/or municipalities are responsible for
organizing and funding preprimary education. Kindergarten is generally housed in a
separate building from the primary grades.
In kindergarten, children are taught about basic manners and knowledge.
That’s when they are introduced to other languages and Swiss culture. Kindergarten
aims to teach children social skills and basic mannerisms through play-based
learning. Through music, games, art, and lots of crafts, they are introduced to basic
reading and math.
After they have finished kindergarten, around the age of 6, they go to primary school.

PRIMARY SCHOOL (5/6-11 YEARS OLD).

According to the Agreement on the Coordination of Education, children who

have reached the age of six by June 30th are eligible for compulsory education.
Each canton has its own laws regarding education, which defines the way in which
compulsory education is organized. In 20 Swiss cantons primary education lasts six
years, in four cantons for five years, and in two cantons for four years. This stage of
schooling is provided free of charge.

Primary school in most areas lasts for six grades, and the curriculum is broad,
covering basic skills, physical education and languages. Because Switzerland has
four official languages, it's typical for even very young children to learn their local
language, a second of the Swiss national languages, and English.
Primary pupils develop and hone their intellectual, creative, physical and
artistic abilities. They develop basic skills and cultural identity, and a sense of
responsibility towards themselves, the environment, their fellow human beings and
society, and are thus prepared for learning in lower secondary level and for lifelong
learning.
Throughout Switzerland, the first year at primary school comprises on the
average approximately four hours of teaching per day. This increases to slightly over
five hours per day in the final year at primary school. School is held in the morning
and afternoon. Some cantons have school on Saturday mornings and one afternoon
during the week free.

Teaching methods
Teachers are free to choose their teaching methods. They choose methods
which are best suited to the objectives, content and topics. Extended learning and
teaching forms, differentiated teaching and independent learning are an important
component of everyday teaching.

Grading System
The Swiss education system is based on a 6-point grading scale:
 Like the curricula, student assessment varies from canton to canton
throughout Switzerland, but student receive a school report card twice a year. There
may also be end-of-year tests. These assessments decide whether a student goes
on to the next grade, receives extra support, or repeats a year. 
Private primary schools in Switzerland
Switzerland boasts many private and schools, even at the primary level.
These schools often provide education from kindergarten through to high school, and
are, therefore, a good option for expat parents who want a seamless education for
their children.
There are three different types of private primary school in Switzerland, which
include: 
• International schools 
• Religious schools 
• Montessori schools 
•
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Secondary education in Switzerland is split into a mandatory period of lower
secondary school, and an optional higher secondary education.
• Lower secondary education is defined as the part of compulsory education
immediately following primary schooling, usually grades seven to nine.
Depending on the length of primary education (four, five, or six years), lower
secondary education consists of three to five years of schooling depending on
the canton.
• Upper secondary education is part of the post-compulsory sector. It
comprises both vocational and professional education and training courses
and general education programmes:

Lower secondary education (11/12-15 years old)

Lower secondary schools in Switzerland are called Gymnasiums or

Kantonsschule. This is where kids learn their mother language, a second
language spoken in Switzerland and English. Languages are given quite the
emphasis in the Swiss education system, and therefore most of the people
there speak at least a second language.
Natural sciences are also given a lot of importance where math,
biology, chemistry, physics, and geography are taught as some of the main
subjects. Other subjects like history, civic education, music, art and design,
physical education and health, home economics, career guidance, and
vocational preparation are also taught.
Students are graded with numbers from 6 (being the highest) to 1 (the
lowest). They also take tests at the end of the school year, where they get to
test their gathered knowledge. At the end of the year, depending on
performance, students either continue to the next year or repeat the previous
one.

CERTIFICATION
There is no national final school examination in compulsory education,
and hence there is no corresponding nationwide school leaving certificate
either. A few cantons carry out a final examination in the core subjects at the
end of lower secondary education, sometimes only in individual school types
or performance level groups. 
In an attempt to optimize the transition from lower to upper secondary
level, some cantons introduced a leaving certificate at the end of compulsory
schooling. This is intended to be indicative and is not used for selective
purposes: the leaving certificate does not automatically entitle holders to enter
the next stage of schooling, i.e. the post-compulsory upper secondary school
types. The intention is that the subsequent institutions of vocational education
and training (VET) and schools at upper secondary level receive comparable
information about the abilities of individual pupils, while at the same time
maintaining motivation in the final year of compulsory education.

Upper secondary education (16-19 years old)

High school in Switzerland is not compulsory, and its structure is
unique. After the students finish their lower secondary education, they can
choose what kind of career they want to pursue.
They get to choose from a Vocational education and training (VET),
Baccalaureate, or Upper secondary specialized school.
A vocational school is a preferred choice for most young Swiss students.
That is where they get to learn skills in school and see how it is done through
the first-hand experience in companies that provide apprenticeships and
cross-company courses. They last from 2 to 4 years and allow the students to
gain technical and practical knowledge. Through VET school, students get a
federal VET diploma or a federal VET certificate that will enable them to work
and continue further education.
There are VET programs for around 230 different professions in
Switzerland. Therefore, students can choose from a wide array of specialties
and career paths. VET programs can lead to a Federal VET certificate, a
Federal VET diploma, or the Federal vocational baccalaureate
(Berufsmaturität / maturité professionelle) which allows admission to
universities of applied science.

A Baccalaureate school is the choice of ⅓ Swiss students. It can be

considered a continuation of the lower secondary education, where the
subjects are similar to the previous ones in lower secondary education,
plus law and economics. The enrollment is based on the student’s previous
performance, and the grading system is the same as in lower secondary
education. These schools usually last from 3 to 6 years, depending on the
canton.
The cantonal curricula are guided by the Swiss Conference of
Cantonal Ministers of Education or EDK’s framework curriculum for
baccalaureate schools. The framework curriculum lays down the general
learning objectives and the educational and intellectual mission of the
baccalaureate school from a holistic perspective.
The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education is
responsible for the national coordination of education and cultural policy. It
aims to ensure high quality, equity, permeability and mobility within the Swiss
education system.
At the end of the program, students must take a test and present a
baccalaureate essay. Depending on their performance, they are granted a
certificate called Matura and are then eligible to start cantonal universities,
institutes of technologies, and teacher-training universities.

Upper secondary specialized schools

Upper secondary specialized schools teach general education subjects
and subjects oriented towards a particular occupational field:
 • health or health/natural sciences,
• social work,
• educational science,
• communication and information,
• art and design as well as
• music and/or theatre
Most upper secondary specialized schools do not offer teaching in all
occupational fields. In most cantons they prepare mainly for the occupational
fields of health care, social work and educational science. The cantonal curricula
are based on the EDK framework curriculum for upper secondary specialized
schools.
The program lasts three years, and in the end, the students must take a final
exam in six of their subjects. If they finish that successfully, they get the upper-
secondary specialized school certificate and continue their education in
Professional education and training (PET) colleges.

HIGHER / TERTIARY EDUCATION (19 YEARS AND ABOVE)

Higher Education can be completed at tertiary level A institutions or within the
framework of tertiary level B professional education and training (PET).
Tertiary level A institutions include universities, universities of applied
sciences and universities of teacher education that provides several academic
and practice-oriented courses of study.
Tertiary level B provides in-depth specialist knowledge.
Further, higher education in Switzerland consists of three levels- Bachelor’s,
Master’s and PhD degree courses.
In practice, the Swiss higher education system uses three essential
learning techniques that, when combined, have proven effective to develop well-
rounded, immediately employable graduates who have a high level of relevant
professional skills, plus the soft skills to collaborate and advance in their careers.
University is the logical choice for the students with a Matura
(Baccalaureate school), while Fachhochschule or Höhere Fachschule
( University of Applied Science) is the choice of students with a VET certificate.
Students with an upper-secondary specialized school certificate will continue their
education in PET colleges.
UNIVERSITY-
There are ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of
Technology (FIT).
The universities organize their courses of study in a three-year Bachelor
degree (full-time study) and a Master programme lasting one-and-a-half to two
years (full-time study).
Students are provided with basic, research-based knowledge at Bachelor level,
and with in-depth, specialized and research-based knowledge at Master level.
Every university Bachelor degree offered by a Swiss university provides for a
seamless transition into a Master degree programme. The Master degree is the
standard qualification. After the Master degree students may commence a
Doctoral programme.
Furthermore, universities in Switzerland are known for their BBAs and MBAs, and
they tend to be some of the best in the world. This has resulted in a considerable
number of international students in the country. Many of these students attend
top universities in Switzerland for their advanced degrees.

UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

There are eight (cantonal or intercantonal) universities of applied
sciences recognized by the Confederation. These are distributed over eight
Swiss regions in multiple locations. The Confederation has also recognized one
private university of applied sciences.
The universities of applied sciences offer their courses of study as a three-
year Bachelor programme (full-time study); the Bachelor degree qualifies
graduates for a profession and is the standard qualification.
At the Bachelor level the students are taught specialist practical knowledge. The
courses are closely linked to a profession and the corresponding fields of
activities and prepare students directly for entry into professional life.
Following the successful completion of the Bachelor programme, students
may complete a Master programme lasting one-and-a-half to two years (full-time
study). The Master programme teaches in-depth, specialized and research-based
knowledge. In the music sector, most Bachelor graduates continue their studies
at Master level.

UNIVERSITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION

The 14 universities of teacher education in Switzerland that are responsible
for offering education and training of teachers. In terms of type they are similar to
the universities of applied sciences, but are managed differently. Admission here
is generally granted on the basis of bachelor’s degree.
The cantons, which are the maintaining bodies for the universities of teacher
education, are responsible for their organisation and funding. The Confederation
does not pay any basic contributions to the universities of teacher education. 
Given the cantonal sovereignty over education, the cantons adopt rules
on teacher training; to ensure access to the profession the qualifications are
recognised throughout Switzerland by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal
Ministers of Education (EDK).

COLLEGES OF HIGHER EDUCATIONS

It offer courses of tertiary level professional education regulated by the
Confederation. They provide students with the skills needed to perform technical
and managerial tasks in a particular specialist area. Alongside specialist and
theoretical training at school, the accompanying professional experience (part-
time study) and the internships integrated into the training (full-time study) form
an important component of acquiring the extensive ability to act in a vocational
capacity. Full-time training lasts a minimum of two years including internships,
and training undertaken parallel to employment takes at least three years. There
are 52 recognized branches of study offered by 400 different state-run or private
educational institutions throughout Switzerland. For admission to colleges of
higher education, in addition to the upper secondary level leaving certificate
(Federal VET Diploma, Federal Vocational Baccalaureate, upper secondary
specialized school certificate, baccalaureate) a number of years of professional
experience and an aptitude test may be asked for.

SWISS EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND ADVICE

Interview to Ursula Renold, head of education systems research in the KOF
Swiss Economic Institute.
The Swiss vocational education and training (VET) system is regarded as one of
the greatest in the world, but every system, he claims, has its challenges.
According to him, the following areas have been identified as challenges and
solutions:
1. Demographic changes: We have an aging workforce and not enough
students to replace them in the VET system. Therefore, we are looking at ways to
“re-tool” all employees and raise their productivity with further education.
2. Potential perception issues: 
We continue to fear that too many parents will insist their children
pursue a university pathway instead of the VET pathway, thereby weakening the
economy (something experienced by Denmark, which also had a strong
apprenticeship program). An international dialogue and exchange of knowledge
on the importance of VET competences to close the 21 st century middle skills gap
is one of the solutions to this problem. Another route is to connect the worldwide
community of scholars and experts, which could provide the evidence and the
rationale for well-balanced educational diversity.
3. Globalization: The increase of international companies working in Switzerland
threatens the VET system. These companies do not have a tradition of VET and
are therefore less supportive of the system. It is very important to launch an
information campaign for multi-national companies and newcomers to
Switzerland who are not familiar with the VET system so that they can
understand the comparatively outstanding outcomes of our VET system.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS: PHILIPPINE AND SWTIZERLAND

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
As a country, the Philippines is trying everything possible to improve
and become globally competitive. Human resources are a country's power;
the best investment to give its citizens is the best educational system, which
Switzerland already has in place. The path of professional options for their
people begins early and with simultaneous trainings from the time the learners
begin to fit into the job of the society.
On the other hand, the Philippines only recently began benchmarking
the number of years learners spent in school with our senior high school
graduating class in college. We have a long way to go to establish our stability
and foundation in education, particularly in lifelong learning paths, careers,
and skills.
Education is prioritized by the government in Switzerland and has
become a highly important resource since they invest more of their GDP in
the education sector, while in the Philippines, the amounts provided may not
be sufficient due to a lack of educational resources.

INSIGHTS
 Switzerland is one of best countries in the world for students to pursue
education. Because it is well established and functional system.
 The Swiss education system is internationally renowned for its high academic
standards, well-regarded research outputs and student-centered teaching
methods.
 Switzerland has some amazing universities, with its education system being
ranked very high and international students flocking to its programs like it’s
the promised land. Switzerland offers a variety of worldly-acknowledged
universities that welcome international students.
 Education in Switzerland ultimately exists to provide schooling for all,
regardless of background or disability, a vision that embodies Global Goal
number four established by the U.N. to eliminate extreme poverty.
 The success of the Swiss higher education system rests on three pillars. The
first is international openness. Swiss universities aim to attract the best minds
worldwide, be the students, doctoral candidates or professors. The second is
a high level of operational autonomy. Universities act autonomously from
politics and administration and manage their own affairs. This independence,
especially from politics, is crucial for their success. The third important pillar is
solid, stable funding. Universities in Switzerland are mainly financed by the
federal government and the cantons. This enables consistent planning
because the funding is steady and reliable.

REFERENCES
• https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-educationsystems/switzerland/
overview#:~:text=Switzerland%20has%20a%20strong%20vocational,tertiary
%2Dlevel%20professional%20education%20programmes.
• https://studyinginswitzerland.com/switzerland-education/
• https://www.switzerlandeducation.info/education-system/structure-of-
switzerland-education-system.html
• https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1480/Switzerland.html
• https://yocket.com/blog/education-system-in-
switzerland#what_are_the_major_levels_in_switzerland_education_system_s
tructure
• https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-swiss-education-
challenges-and-advice/2015/03