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Living in Switzerland - Educational System

Contents:
Introduction

Moving to Switzerland
Registration Procedures
Moving Goods
Moving Financial Assets
Cars, Driving & Licences
Finding Accommodation
Finding a School
Moving Checklist

Living in Switzerland
The System
Incomes & Taxes
Cost of Living
Accommodation
Cultural & Social Life
Educational System
Private Life
Transport
The Health System

Social Security
Social Security in Europe
E forms: General Overview
General Organisation
Sickness Insurance
Family Insurance
Old Age Pensions
EU Health Card
Unemployment Benefits

Working in Switzerland
Finding a Job
Applications
Recognition of Qualifications
Kinds of Employment
Employment Contracts
Remuneration
Working Time
Vocational Training
Leave
End of Employment
Special Categories
Self-employment
Representation of Workers
Work Disputes
The educational system
The Swiss educational system is distinguished by its diversity, each of the 26 cantons being responsible for all aspects of education in its territory. An overview of the structure of the Swiss educational system can be accessed through Related Topics opposite.

Some 153 000 children between the ages of 4 and 6 – that is, 98.5% of children in this age group – attended nursery school (pre-school level) in 2006. Of these, nearly 9% were enrolled in unsubsidised private schools. Compulsory schooling lasts for nine years and includes a primary and a secondary cycle (secondary level I) in all cantons. Attendance is compulsory and free of charge for all children, whether Swiss or foreign. The municipalities ensure that all children can attend their local public school or one nearby. The schools directorate of each municipality (or the municipal administration if there is no schools directorate) can provide information on general schooling matters (e.g. admission, regulations or transport). A total of 850 000 pupils were enrolled in compulsory schooling in 2006, 3.4% of them in private schools.

The years of compulsory schooling are followed by secondary level II, at which there are two choices: (1) the general academic route in, for example, ‘Matura’ schools or specialised schools, or (2) vocational training. Some two thirds of children go on from compulsory schooling to vocational training (apprenticeship), while one third take the general academic route.

Tertiary level education comprises advanced vocational training, the universities and vocational schools with university status. In 2006/07 some 172 000 students were engaged in tertiary education.

Text last edited on: 04/2008

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.

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