Intercantonal Agreement on the Harmonisation of Compulsory Education - Purpose

1. The cantons in the agreement harmonize compulsory education by

a) harmonizing the objectives of instruction and the school structures;

b) developing and securing the quality and permeability of the school system through joint governance instruments.

1. In respect for the different cultures in multilingual Switzerland, the cantons entering the agreement adhere to the principle of subsidiarity in their measures for harmonization.

2. They strive to eliminate educational obstacles to national and international mobility of the population.

1. In compulsory school, all students acquire and develop fundamental knowledge and skills, as well as cultural identity, which allow them to learn throughout their lives and find their place in society and professional life.

2. During compulsory school, each student acquires basic education, which enables access to vocational training or to general education schools at the secondary level II, particularly in the following areas

a) Languages: comprehensive basic education in the local standard language (oral and written language proficiency) and basic competencies in a second national language and at least one other foreign language;

b) Mathematics and Natural Sciences: basic education that enables the application of fundamental mathematical concepts and procedures as well as insights into scientific and technical contexts;

c) Social and Humanities: basic education that enables understanding of fundamental relationships in the social and political environment, as well as between humans and the environment;

d) Music, Art, and Design: practical basic education in various artistic and design fields, focused on promoting creativity, manual skills, and aesthetic sense, as well as imparting knowledge of art and culture;

e) Physical Education and Health: movement and health education focused on developing motor skills and physical fitness, as well as promoting physical and mental well-being.

3. Students are supported in their development into independent personalities, in acquiring social skills, and in their journey towards responsible actions towards fellow humans and the environment.

1. The first foreign language is taught, in accordance with the duration of school levels defined in Art. 6, starting no later than the 5th school year, and the second foreign language no later than the 7th school year. One of the two languages must be a second national language, whose instruction includes cultural aspects; the other language is English. Equivalent competency levels in both foreign languages are required by the end of compulsory schooling. If the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino additionally provide compulsory instruction in a third national language, they may deviate from the present provision regarding the determination of school years.

2. During compulsory education, there is an adequate offer of optional instruction in a third national language.

3. The sequence of the taught foreign languages is coordinated regionally. Quality and development features are established in an overall strategy approved by the EDK.

4. For students with a migration background, the cantons support, through organizational measures, the courses in the native language and culture (HSK courses) conducted by the countries of origin and various language communities, while observing religious and political neutrality.

1. Children are enrolled in school upon reaching the age of 4 (cut-off date July 31).

2. During the initial school years (preschool and primary education), the child gradually acquires the foundations of social competence and academic methods. The child particularly completes and consolidates the linguistic foundations. The time required for a child to progress through the initial school years depends on their intellectual development and emotional maturity; if necessary, the child receives additional support through special measures.

1. Primary level, including preschool or entry level, lasts eight years.

2. Secondary level I follows primary level and generally lasts three years.

3. The distribution of school levels between primary and secondary level I as stipulated in paragraphs 1 and 2 may vary by one year in the canton of Ticino.

4. The transition to secondary level II occurs after the 11th school year. The transition to gymnasial maturity schools generally occurs after the 10th school year, taking into consideration the decrees of the Federal Council and the EDK.

5. The duration required to complete the school levels depends on the individual development of the student in each specific case.

1. To harmonize educational objectives throughout Switzerland, national education standards shall be established.

2. A distinction is made between the following two types of education standards

a) Performance standards, which are based on a reference framework with competence levels for each subject area;

b) Standards that describe educational content or conditions for implementation in teaching.

3. The national education standards are developed and validated scientifically under the responsibility of the EDK. They are subject to consultation in accordance with Article 3 of the Concordat on School Coordination of October 29, 1970.

4. They are adopted by the Plenary Assembly of the EDK with a two-thirds majority of its members, of whom at least three must represent a canton where the majority language is not German. Revisions are carried out by the contracting cantons in a similar procedure.

1. The harmonization of curricula and the coordination of teaching materials occur at the regional language level.

2. Curricula, teaching materials, evaluation instruments, and educational standards are aligned with each other.

3. The cantons collaborate at the regional language level in the execution of this agreement. They may establish the necessary institutions for this purpose.

4. The EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) and the language regions coordinate on a case-by-case basis concerning the development of reference tests based on educational standards.

1. The signatory cantons ensure that students can document their knowledge and skills using the national or international portfolios recommended by the EDK.

1. Pursuant to Art. 4 of the Concordat on School Coordination of October 29, 1970, the participating cantons, together with the federal government, engage in a systematic and continuous, scientifically supported monitoring of the entire Swiss education system.

2. The developments and performances of the compulsory school are regularly evaluated as part of this educational monitoring. A component of this is the assessment of achieving national educational standards, particularly through reference tests as referred to in Art. 8 para. 4.

1. At the primary level, instruction is preferably organized in block periods.

2. There is an appropriate provision for the supervision of students outside of instructional hours (day structures). The use of this provision is optional and generally subject to a fee for the legal guardians.

1. The agreeing cantons undertake to determine the structural key aspects of compulsory education in the sense of Title III of this agreement and to apply the educational standards in the sense of Art. 7 at the latest six years after the entry into force of this agreement.

1. The accession to this agreement shall be declared to the Board of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education.

1. Withdrawal from the agreement must be declared to the Board of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education. It takes effect at the end of the third calendar year following the declaration of withdrawal.

1. The Plenary Assembly of the EDK decides on the timing of the repeal of Article 2 of the Concordat on School Coordination dated October 29, 1970.

1. The board of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education shall enact the agreement once at least ten cantons have acceded to it.

2. The enactment shall be communicated to the federal government.

**1. Accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein**

The Principality of Liechtenstein may also accede to this agreement. It shall have all the rights and obligations of a contracting canton.