Ordinance on the Act on Compulsory Education (Compulsory Education Ordinance, VBV) (Volksschulbildungsverordnung, VBV) - School Year (VBV)

1. The school year begins on August 1 of a calendar year and ends on July 31 of the following calendar year.

2. The education commission decides on the start date of classes within the framework of the cantonal guidelines.

1. Each school year, students have a total of 14 weeks of vacation.

2. The vacations last two or three weeks in autumn, two weeks at Christmas, two consecutive weeks during the carnival season or divided into one week of carnival vacation and one week of sports vacation, two weeks in spring, and five or six weeks in summer.

3. The Department of Education and Culture sets the vacation schedule with binding Christmas and spring vacations for all municipalities and determines the key dates for the variable vacations in autumn, during the carnival season, and in summer. The Education Commission sets the variable vacations upon application by the school management.

4. The days after Ascension Day and Corpus Christi are non-instructional days.

5. The Education Commission may permit students to miss up to four half-days of instruction per school year without the need for justification (joker days).

1. The Education Commission establishes, within the framework of cantonal guidelines, the weekly half-days of school, half-days off, and any block times.

2. It determines the daily start and end times of school, the breaks, as well as the maximum and minimum instruction times per half-day for the various educational levels and classes.

3. The instruction time per lesson is 45 minutes. A break of five minutes is to be given between two lessons. Breaks may not be counted towards the duration of the lesson.

4. Instruction in kindergarten and primary school takes place in the mornings during block times.

1. Kindergarten lasts for two years, with one year being mandatory and the second year being optional.

2. Classes in kindergarten take place on at least five mornings and one afternoon.

3. Admission to kindergarten is possible semi-annually.

1. The basic level includes kindergarten and the first two years of primary school.

2. It generally lasts four years. Depending on the individual development of the learner, the duration can be three to five years.

3. Classes at the basic level take place at least five mornings and one afternoon.

4. Entry into the basic level is possible semi-annually.

1. The secondary school is divided into Levels A (higher requirements), B (advanced requirements), and C (basic requirements).

2. The secondary school is conducted in a separate, cooperative, or integrated model.

3. In the separate model, Levels A, B, and C are conducted in their respective homerooms.

4. In the cooperative model, Levels A and B are conducted together in one homeroom, while Level C is conducted in its own homeroom.

5. In the integrated model, homerooms are conducted across levels.

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1. The subjects German, Mathematics, French, and English are taught in grade groups and level groups (leveled subjects).

1bis. The subject German or the subject Mathematics can be taught together with internal differentiation (across levels).

2. If there are fewer than 6 students in Level A or Level B, the leveled subjects can be taught together with internal differentiation, or the number of lessons can be reduced by one lesson per leveled subject in each of the level groups. In the subject English, the reduction in the number of lessons is not possible.

2bis. In Level C, the level groups in the subjects English and French are always conducted separately. If there are fewer than 6 students, the number of lessons can be reduced by one lesson per leveled subject. In the subject English, the reduction in the number of lessons is not possible.

3. ...

1. For the administration of the separate model, at least 70 students per grade level are required in the secondary school.

2. For the administration of the cooperative model, at least 40 students per grade level are required in the secondary school.

3. For the administration of the integrated model, at least 15 students per grade level are required in the secondary school.

1. The municipal council shall establish the school districts for kindergarten and primary levels upon the recommendation of the education commission.

1. The place of residence within the meaning of the Law on Public Education of March 22, 1999, is considered to be the location where the learner resides.

1. The Education Commission opens and closes classes within the framework of cantonal guidelines and the performance mandate approved by the Municipal Council.

2. The School Administration assigns students to classes and allocates class and subject teachers to the classes.

1. Children and adolescents entering and residing in the Canton of Lucerne are subject to compulsory schooling if they have not yet reached the age of 15 at the time of entry. They are generally admitted to the class corresponding to their grade level.

2. Non-native speaking adolescents who enter the Canton of Lucerne at the age of 15 or 16 must be admitted to Secondary Level I upon request by their legal guardians and are also considered subject to compulsory schooling.

3. Learners are considered non-native speakers if they come from a non-German speaking region and have no or insufficient German language skills.

4. Children of asylum seekers are admitted to a regular class if they have a prolonged stay in transit accommodations.

1. Class Sizes are as follows

a. * For kindergarten classes, a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 22 students,

b. For foundation stage classes, a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 24 students,

c. * For primary school classes, a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 22 students,

d. For level A and B classes in secondary school, a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 24 students,

e. For level C classes in secondary school, a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 students,

f. For homeroom classes in the integrated model, a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 22 students,

g. * In the subjects of Textile and Technical Design starting from the 3rd grade of primary school, and Economics, Work, Household in the 2nd grade of secondary school, as well as in the elective subject Economics, Work, Household in the 3rd grade of secondary school, a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 16 students, for level C classes a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 students.

2. In the case of integrative special education for disabled children, the maximum limit is in accordance with the Ordinance on Special Education dated December 11, 2007.

3. 3rd to 6th grades of primary school receive an additional lesson for foreign language instruction under the following conditions

a. * 20 or more students in the class,

b. * Proportion of foreign-speaking children over 40 percent.

4. The number of foreign-speaking students with none or insufficient knowledge of the German language should be appropriately considered in class formation.

5. The Department of Public School Education may approve exceptions to the maximum and minimum sizes.

1. Teaching aids and general school materials necessary for achieving the learning objectives within the framework of compulsory education, as well as mandatory school events, are provided free of charge.

2. Teaching aids such as books and workbooks are used to design the classes and are provided to the students by the local school community for use.

3. The Department of Education and Culture prepares a list of mandatory, alternative-mandatory, and optional teaching aids. The municipalities can obtain the teaching aids listed in this directory from the cantonal educational materials publisher.

4. General school materials, such as notebooks and pencils, or instructional materials necessary for specific subjects, are provided by the local school community.

5. A reasonable contribution may be required from the legal guardians for the meals of students in the subject of Economics, Work, and Household, and during mandatory school events, as well as for the production of items in Textile and Technical Design.

6. The Compulsory Education Department issues guidelines regarding the amount of municipal contributions to mandatory school events.

1. The Cantonal Educational Materials Commission comprises seven to nine members, who are appointed by the Government Council.

2. It plans and coordinates the procurement of all educational materials for public schools and has the following specific duties

a. Evaluation of new educational materials,

b. Planning the introduction of new educational materials.

1. Homework must be able to be completed independently by the learners.

2. The scope, content, difficulty, and frequency must be adapted to the learners' performance capabilities.

1. Learners may be exempted from classes entirely or partially upon a justified request from their legal guardians.

1bis. Exemptions from foreign language classes are approved only for one foreign language and, at the earliest, from the 5th grade of primary school.

2. The class teacher is responsible for exemptions from classes of up to three days, while the school administration is responsible for longer exemptions and general exemptions from individual subjects. The Education Commission issues guidelines.

1. Unforeseeable unavoidable absences must be reported to the responsible teacher by the legal guardians, stating the reason.

2. Emergencies that make school attendance impossible or significantly more difficult are considered unavoidable absences.

3. Absences that are not justified within four days from the start, or whose justification does not meet the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2, will be considered unexcused school absences.

1. The school administration is responsible for operational safety within the school premises during school hours.

2. Swimming and bathing within the school context, particularly during swimming lessons, school trips, excursions, and events of any kind, must be supervised by at least one adult who holds a lifeguard certificate from the Swiss Lifesaving Society (SLRG), with the last renewal in a continuing education course having occurred no more than four years ago.

3. The education commission orders extraordinary organizational safety measures upon the request of the school administration.

1. Parents or guardians are responsible for the learners on their way to school. This is subject to the school transportation organized by the municipality.

2. When assessing the reasonableness of school routes, consideration must be given to specific circumstances such as the age of the learners, and the length, type, and condition, as well as the danger of the school route, in addition to health promotion.

3. Municipalities ensure appropriate traffic safety on regularly used school routes within their area of responsibility.

1. School and family-supplementary day structures are services that ensure the supervision of students during school times from their entry into elementary school as a supplement to education and family care.

2. They include the following supervision elements

a. Supervision Element I: Arrival time before school in the morning (from 7:00 AM),

b. Supervision Element II: Lunchtime, rest/movement time,

c. Supervision Element III: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (including homework support),

d. Supervision Element IV: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM (including homework support).

3. Municipalities assess the need for school and family-supplementary day structures once per year and provide appropriate services based on the needs assessment.

4. Municipalities can provide the services themselves, collaborate with other municipalities, or allow private entities to provide them.

1. The school administration may mandate attendance in an early language promotion program for children with insufficient German language skills in view of the mandatory kindergarten entry.

2. The Department of Primary Education provides an instrument for language assessment.

3. The municipality may require a contribution from the guardians, based on income, which covers at most half of the costs.

1. The granting of private tuition or the establishment of private schools is authorized by the Department of Education and Culture.

2. For the issuance of a permit pursuant to paragraph 1, it is required that

a. the sponsoring body of the private school or the person providing private tuition possesses the trustworthiness necessary for the performance of this public task,

b. the person providing private tuition has an education appropriate to the level and subject or the teachers employed at the private school generally have an education appropriate to the level and subject, and

c. the curriculum complies with the cantonal regulations.

3. A person providing private tuition may not teach more than four students.

4. The Public Education Office examines whether the learning objectives prescribed for public schools are achieved by the instruction of private providers. If the instruction is insufficient, the authorization will be revoked, and the assignment of students to a public school will be ordered.

1. Students attending a private school or receiving private instruction are entitled to the services provided by educational authorities at their place of residence, including any necessary clarifications.

1. Disciplinary measures may be imposed on students if they disrupt the school operations, willfully destroy or damage school property, violate the school or house rules and similar regulations, or contravene the orders of the competent authorities, teachers, or professionals in educational services.

1. The following disciplinary measures may be imposed

a. warning,

b. short-term removal from lessons within the school building,

c. additional homework,

d. additional work (e.g., in the social sector) during free school time,

e. written reprimand,

f. transfer to another class,

g. exclusion from lessons for up to a maximum of four school weeks per school year with simultaneous occupation (time-out),

h. a full or partial school exclusion limited to several days or weeks.

2. During the time-out, the school ensures appropriate care and occupation for the students. The Department of Primary School Education issues guidelines.

3. The school exclusion generally lasts no longer than six school weeks per school year. The competent child and adult protection authority will be informed of a full exclusion exceeding two weeks.

4. The affected student must be granted a right to a hearing before a disciplinary measure is ordered. For disciplinary measures pursuant to paragraph 1 d-h, the guardians must also be heard.

5. If an immediate school exclusion is indicated, a prior hearing may be waived. The hearing must be conducted as soon as possible thereafter.

1. Teachers and specialist staff of the school services are authorized to issue warnings, temporarily dismiss students from class, assign additional homework or tasks during free school time, and issue written reprimands.

2. The school administration possesses all disciplinary powers.

1. Teachers, school service professionals, and school administration can confiscate items that endanger the physical, mental, or spiritual health of the students, disrupt the school operations, violate school or house rules, or must be classified as dangerous.

2. Confiscated items are to be kept ready for return to the guardians.

1. Legal guardians who are responsible for unexcused school absences of students or who do not participate in mandated meetings may be fined up to 1500 francs by the school administration. In the event of a recurrence, responsible legal guardians who have already been fined by the school administration may be fined up to 3000 francs by the education commission.

2. The sponsors or administrators of private schools, as well as individuals providing private instruction, who violate the conditions contained in the operating permit or fail to comply with orders from the competent authorities, may be fined up to 3000 francs by the Department of Education and Culture.

1. Teachers typically possess the appropriate level and subject-specific training.

2. Positions may exceptionally be filled with teachers who do not or not yet possess the appropriate level and subject-specific training, if no qualified and suitable applicants are available.

3. The Department of Primary Education may, in individual cases, limit or prohibit the teaching activities of teachers who do not possess the appropriate level or subject-specific training.

1. The canton ensures an adequate and suitable range of further education offerings. The Department of Primary Education may declare certain programs as mandatory.

2. The school administration, in consultation with the teacher, determines the type and extent of their further education.

3. If there is a shortage of qualified teaching or specialist personnel for certain functions, participation in corresponding further education programs may be promoted through financial grants to the participants. The Department of Primary Education specifies, within the available resources, the programs, the conditions for support, and their scope.

1. The canton and the municipalities each finance half of the continuing education.

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3. ...

4. The Lucerne University of Teacher Education charges course participants a course fee. It determines the amount based on the type, duration, and scope of the course, within a range of 7 to 20 francs per course hour and participant.

1. The Department of Primary Education designates continuing education programs for which the substitute costs are to be shared equally by the canton and the municipalities.

2. Teachers who participate in continuing education during their teaching hours pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be remunerated in accordance with their teaching duties.

3. Teachers who claim three or more teaching weeks for their continuing education may be required by the canton to proportionally reimburse the course and substitute costs if they leave the educational service of Lucerne within three years after attending the course.

1. The school develops a quality concept based on the quality cycle and the cantonal framework for school quality, taking into account the local conditions.

2. The Department of Primary Education determines the individual methods and instruments and may set minimum standards for these.

1. The school administration is responsible for the internal evaluation within the framework of the performance mandate approved by the municipal council.

2. In doing so, it considers the various areas of the school and includes both individuals involved with the school and external parties.

3. The results of the internal evaluation are documented in a report to the education commission. The school administration implements the measures from the internal evaluation.

1. The Primary Education Office conducts an external evaluation of each school every six years according to a schedule and timeline determined by the office.

2. The school administration provides the Primary Education Office with the necessary documents and makes the necessary internal preparations for conducting the external evaluation.

3. The Primary Education Office prepares a report on the evaluation results for the school administration and the Education Commission. The report is to be published. The office decides on the content and form of publication.

4. Based on the evaluation results, the school administration implements the development goals in consultation with the Education Commission.

1. The cantonal contributions for students in kindergarten or basic level, primary school, and secondary school are calculated based on standardized costs per class and educational level.

1bis. For the determination of the standard costs, the following are considered

a. * the salaries of teachers per class based on the number of lessons according to the weekly lesson schedule,

b. * the salaries of teachers for integrative support,

c. * the salaries of specialist staff in school services,

d. * the costs of lessons from the school pool,

e. * the room costs and the costs for operational maintenance, and

f. * other costs such as the salaries of the school management and expenses for school administration and management, transportation, as well as teaching materials and instructional materials.

2. For the calculation of the per capita contribution, the average number of students per class and educational level is decisive.

3. The per capita contribution calculated from the standard costs is adjusted annually by the Department of Public Education to the salary development of teachers and specialist staff of school services as well as to the amended cantonal guidelines.

4. At least every four years, or when other changes require adjustments, the Department of Public Education recalculates the standard costs in collaboration with the public education delegation.

1. The canton contributions are allocated to the municipalities of residence of students who attend a public school. The decisive factor is the number of students as of September 1 of the previous year.

2. For students who enter kindergarten or the basic level in the second semester of the school year, half of the annual canton contribution is allocated to the municipalities of residence.

3. The contributions are paid out monthly.

**1. The Canton provides contributions to school and family supplementary day structures, provided that the requirements of the Education Act concerning public schooling and this ordinance, as well as the guidelines issued by the Public Education Office, are adhered to.**

**2. The Cantonal contribution covers half of the recognized net operating costs after deducting parental contributions and any additional income. The Public Education Office determines the recognized net operating costs.**

a. * ...

b. * ...

c. * ...

d. * ...

**2bis. The contributions are disbursed in the following year based on the municipalities' settlements.**

**3. If municipalities offer school and family supplementary day structures in collaboration with other municipalities, the residential municipalities are responsible for covering the tuition costs.**

1. The canton provides municipalities with contributions for early language support for children who, according to the language assessment, have insufficient German language skills in preparation for kindergarten and attend an early language support program in the year before compulsory kindergarten entry.

2. The contributions are provided in the form of lump sums per half-day that a child attends an early language support program pursuant to paragraph 1. The cutoff date is September 1st.

3. The lump sums are determined by the Office of Primary Education. They are based on the average costs of corresponding programs and cover, on average, half of the costs remaining after deduction of parental contributions.

1. The canton provides additional contributions to schools with more than 35 percent of students who are non-native speakers per school year as follows

a. Schools with fewer than 100 students: 40,000 francs,

b. Schools with 100 to 250 students: 70,000 francs,

c. Schools with more than 250 students: 100,000 francs.

2. The canton provides a per capita contribution for students of foreign language. This is calculated based on the costs for programs in "German as a Second Language" (DaZ) and for the engagement of translators. The amount is determined by the Department of Primary Education for each school level.

3. Students attending "German as a Second Language" (DaZ) classes are considered non-native speakers. The reference date is September 1 of the previous year.

1. The municipalities shall contribute to the costs incurred by the canton pursuant to § 61a paragraph 2 of the Law on Public School Education, covering 50 percent of the expenses.

2. The Department of Public School Education shall annually calculate the anticipated costs according to the canton’s budget estimates. It shall invoice each municipality for their contribution based on the size of their population. The basis for calculation is the average residential population according to the cantonal population statistics.

3. The Department of Public School Education shall prepare the final cost accounting annually. Any surplus or deficit shall be taken into account in the next billing cycle.

1. The canton may grant contributions to private schools upon request.

2. The annual cantonal contributions to private schools amount to a maximum per student

a. in the kindergarten level of 600 francs,

b. in the primary level of 800 francs,

c. in the secondary level I of 1000 francs.

3. Contributions may be granted if the private school

a. meets a public need and alleviates the public school system,

b. fulfills the conditions outlined in the operating license,

c. has been operating successfully for at least four years after obtaining the operating license.

1. If students attend classes at a hospital school during a hospital stay, the canton and the entirety of the municipalities shall cover the costs of the education in accordance with the provisions for financing special education.

1. Appeals against decisions related to this regulation may be filed in writing and with justification according to the provisions of the Law on Primary Education and the Law on Administrative Jurisdiction.

1. Section 14a of this regulation remains applicable to a municipality in the version dated August 1, 2020, as long as it has not implemented early language support, but no later than July 31, 2024.

1. Children who were privately educated by their parents before the amendment of May 9, 2023 came into effect may continue to be privately educated by their parents in accordance with the previous law until the end of primary school.

1. The Ordinance on the Law concerning Elementary School Education (Elementary School Education Ordinance) of December 21, 1999, is repealed.

1. The regulation shall enter into force on January 1, 2009. It is to be published.