Swiss Education Area

Primary and lower-secondary level (compulsory education) and pre-school education fall under the authority of the cantons and communes. At upper-secondary level (i.e. post-compulsory education), there are two main sectors: vocational education and training (VET) and general education (baccalaureate schools and specialised schools).

The Confederation has full authority to regulate the VPET system, which is comprised of vocational education and training (upper-secondary level) and professional education (tertiary level). Implementation of VET-related tasks is coordinated with the cantons and the private sector. The interests of the latter are represented by professional organisations, which decide the training content in their respective area of economic activity and provide workplace training (i.e. apprenticeships or traineeships). Around 70% of all young people coming out of compulsory education in Switzerland choose to enrol in a VET programme. Dual-track VET programmes (i.e. which combine classroom instruction at a vocational school with workplace training at a host company) are the predominant form of VET in Switzerland.

The cantons are primarily responsible for regulating the general education sector (upper-secondary level), which is comprised of baccalaureate schools and specialised schools. An agreement between the Confederation and the cantons exists to ensure national recognition of baccalaureates awarded by general education schools.

The Confederation and the cantons jointly regulate, fund, manage and supervise tertiary level education, which is comprised of two sectors: the higher education sector and the professional education sector. The allocation of powers within the higher education sector is set forth in Art. 63a Cst: ‘the Confederation and the Cantons are jointly responsible for the coordination and guarantee of quality in Swiss higher education’. Both grant considerable autonomy to higher education institutions. The Confederation has authority over the professional education sector by virtue of Art. 63 Cst.

As far as non-formal continuing education is concerned, the allocation of powers to implement, sustain and fund this sector is extremely complex. The Confederation has the power to specify the principles governing continuing education and provide funding for it (Art. 64a Cst.). The Federal Act of 20 June 2014 on Continuing Education and Training (CETA) implements this mandate. For their part, the cantons may issue complementary provisions.

Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation

Swiss education system, EDK website