Act on Schools and Education (Education Act) (Bildungsgesetz) - Subject Matter

1. This law governs the education and upbringing in public schools, private schools, as well as other educational sectors.

1. The school serves the education and upbringing of the learners.

2. Education is a comprehensive and lifelong process that promotes the mental, physical, spiritual, cultural, and social abilities of individuals according to their age and demands their willingness to learn and perform. The entire educational system is committed to the Christian, humanistic, and democratic tradition.

3. All educational institutions and learning venues impart the competencies necessary for life to their learners. The areas of competence and forms of instruction adapt to societal requirements and take into account the acquisition of new cultural techniques.

4. The educational institutions and learning venues respect the gender and cultural identity of the learners and impart values to them that enable them to behave responsibly toward people and the environment.

1. Public schools are defined as the schools operated by local municipalities, municipal associations, or the canton.

2. Private schools are defined as all non-public schools.

3. Learners are defined as all pupils, students, and apprentices who utilize an educational offering under this law.

4. Parents are defined as the persons who have parental authority and the right to represent the child in matters regarding educational decisions.

1. The municipal communities are the authorities responsible for the public school system.

2. If the independent management of a school, branch school, type of school, educational level, or a special form of instruction for the support of children with school or learning difficulties, as well as with extraordinary talents, proves to be impractical, the municipality must ensure attendance by merging with another school or through an agreement. The government council can oblige municipalities to cooperate.

1. The canton operates a secondary school and a vocational and continuing education center.

2. The district council regulates the details by ordinance.

3. The government council determines the amount of the school fees.

4. The government council may enter into tuition and performance agreements to ensure that learners have access to out-of-canton schools and educational institutions at the secondary level II. It is exclusively responsible for approving the associated expenditures.

1. Private schools that fulfill compulsory education requirements need approval from the Education Council.

2. Private schools at the secondary level II require approval from the Government Council.

3. The approval is granted if the requirements set for public schools are met.

4. Private schools are subject to the supervision of the respective approving authority.

5. The canton may enter into performance agreements with approved private schools and grant financial contributions.

1. The Primary School encompasses

a) the voluntary first year and the compulsory second year of kindergarten

b) the primary level

c) secondary level I

d) special organizational forms for the promotion of learners

1. The kindergarten is the first stage of the elementary school and lasts at least one year.

2. It promotes the child's development in a playful manner and helps the child to become ready for school and capable of community interaction as preparation for primary school.

3. The municipal communities enable all children to attend an additional year before entering the compulsory kindergarten.

4. The district council regulates the possibility and the conditions for conducting the kindergarten and the first one to two years of the primary level in a joint department.

1. The primary level imparts essential, fundamental knowledge and competencies. It prepares students for lower secondary education. It establishes the foundation for judgment, independent thinking, as well as responsible and social action.

2. It comprises six school years.

1. The Secondary Level I includes

a) the three-year upper school

b) the first two grades of the gymnasium

2. Upper school and gymnasium follow the sixth grade of the primary level.

1. The Secondary Level 1 provides students with level-specific education that enables them to enter vocational basic training or an advanced school. It promotes their ability to act and their sense of responsibility.

1. The Upper Secondary Education includes

a) the High Schools

b) the Vocational Schools

c) the Apprenticeship Companies

d) other professional and general education schools and learning locations

1. Secondary schools provide a comprehensive general education based on humanistic, social, and democratic principles.

2. They prepare students for university studies and enable access to higher education courses.

1. The vocational school provides educational instruction. This consists of vocational and general education classes.

2. The canton ensures a demand-oriented provision of vocational school instruction.

1. Educational programs at the tertiary level build upon the courses of study at the secondary level II.

2. The Cantonal Council may decide to run universities and offer educational programs in the field of higher vocational education.

3. The Executive Council may enter into tuition fee agreements to ensure access for students from the Canton of Uri to out-of-canton educational offerings at the tertiary level. It has the exclusive authority to determine the related expenditures.

4. The Canton promotes research, scientific further education, as well as knowledge and technology transfer.

5. The Executive Council decides on participations, pilot projects, and other forms of collaboration in the tertiary education sector. The ordinary financial competencies apply.

6. The Cantonal Council may, by ordinance, oblige students to contribute to the costs.

1. Continuing education imparts competencies in the sense of lifelong learning that are necessary to meet the changing demands of society.

2. The canton and the municipalities promote general continuing education.

3. The canton ensures an adequate provision of vocational continuing education.

1. The canton and the municipalities jointly ensure the provision of voluntary music instruction.

2. The canton supports voluntary music instruction for students in primary and secondary level II schools through contributions.

3. The municipalities ensure the procurement and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure at their own expense.

1. Every child residing in the Canton of Uri who has reached the age of five by July 31 shall be subject to compulsory education at the beginning of the next school year.

2. If the child reaches the age of five after March 31, the parents may defer compulsory education for one year. They must notify the authority designated by the school board of their decision in writing and in a timely manner.

1. The obligation to attend school lasts for ten years, but no longer than until the completion of the 3rd grade of upper secondary school or the 3rd grade of high school.

2. The last three years of compulsory schooling can be completed at middle school.

1. Students who have completed at least nine school years may be released early from compulsory schooling by the school board for important reasons. In making its decision, the school board consults with the parents and experts.

1. The obligation to attend school must be fulfilled at the location where the child resides permanently.

2. In special cases, the involved municipalities may, by agreement, establish a different location for fulfilling this obligation.

1. No tuition fees shall be charged to students for instruction in the public elementary school and the first three grades of secondary school.

2. The municipality of residence shall bear the corresponding tuition costs.

3. Students may be required to contribute to the costs of excursions, special instructional weeks, or electronic infrastructure insofar as they derive savings or substantial benefits therefrom.

1. Parents may have their children educated at approved private schools. They must notify the school board of this decision.

2. Private instruction (homeschooling) is prohibited.

1. To support all students according to their talents and physical characteristics, schools, with the assistance of the canton, take appropriate measures.

2. The special support of all students is generally carried out in an integrative manner.

3. The district council regulates the special support and the special education offerings by ordinance.

1. Students with Special Educational Needs attend a Special School when

a) they can no longer benefit from regular classes or significantly disrupt the social structure of the class

b) attending is appropriate, necessary, and reasonable for their support and for fulfilling the educational mandate

2. The District Administrator regulates the procedure for the assessment and assignment of the students to special education by ordinance.

1. The canton operates or supports special schools and residential institutions. It may involve the municipalities in providing appropriate services.

2. The governing council can enter into tuition agreements to ensure that students from the canton of Uri have access to special schools and residential institutions outside the canton. It has the exclusive authority to decide on the related expenditures. The legislative council regulates the cost-sharing between the canton, the municipalities, and any third parties obligated to provide support by ordinance.

1. Day structures are care services that students can attend in addition to their regular classes.

2. In day schools, instruction and care are combined through educational, organizational, and staffing measures and offered on several days per week.

3. Municipalities and the canton can alone or in cooperation with third parties provide a needs-based offering within their area of responsibility. The canton supports the municipalities' offerings with contributions.

4. Attendance is voluntary. Contributions may be charged for services outside the scheduled class hours.

1. During the compulsory school period, students may be granted a long-term leave of absence once for the duration of one academic quarter.

2. The district administrator regulates the specifics in the ordinance.

1. Cantons and municipalities shall take measures to provide advice to school authorities, school administrations, teachers, students, and parents.

1. School authorities shall ensure access to school social work in primary schools.

2. School social work is available for consultation to students, teachers, school administrations, parents, and youth work professionals. Its aim is to counsel, support, strengthen, and promote students in the individual and social development of their personalities.

1. The canton provides a school psychological service that is available to school authorities, school administrations, teachers, parents, and students.

2. The School Psychological Service conducts assessments, prepares reports, and offers advice for special support in accordance with Article 24.

1. The canton and municipalities promote the health of students in primary schools through the operation of a school medical service.

2. The school medical service includes the areas of school physician and school dentist.

1. The canton provides for career, study, and vocational guidance.

2. The career, study, and vocational guidance assists young people and adults in choosing a profession and study course as well as in designing their vocational career.

1. The District Administrator may further execute the tasks of the school and counseling services by regulation and introduce additional services.

1. The municipalities ensure the transportation, meals, and accommodation for students of the public school with an unreasonable school commute.

1. The canton provides contributions to the educational and living expenses during post-primary schooling for individuals whose financial capacity is insufficient.

2. The legislative council regulates the type and amount of educational contributions, as well as the conditions for receiving them, by ordinance.

1. School authorities shall establish and maintain the premises and facilities necessary for contemporary education instruction.

1. School authorities shall operate school libraries.

2. They may delegate this responsibility to third parties.

1. The municipalities operate an educational center.

2. They may delegate this task to third parties.

3. The canton promotes the educational center through contributions.

1. Schools, other educational institutions, and parents work together for the child's welfare in education and upbringing. They maintain a cooperative relationship with one another and mutually inform each other about the child's development.

1. Parents are regularly informed about learning progress, work habits, and social behavior in an appropriate manner.

2. Teachers provide them with the opportunity for discussion regarding the educational development, particularly during promotions, the implementation of special measures, or in cases of serious disciplinary misconduct.

3. Parents may attend classes after coordinating with the teacher.

1. Any person who intentionally or negligently hinders a child from fulfilling their compulsory education by

a) keeping the child from attending school without authorization,

b) not sending the child to the school or class to which they are assigned,

c) having the child taught in an unauthorized private school,

shall be punished with a fine ranging from 100 Swiss Francs to 5,000 Swiss Francs.

2. In minor cases, a punishment may be waived and a warning issued.

1. Every school-age child has the right to appropriate instruction within the framework of the existing educational offerings that corresponds to their age and abilities and meets the applicable requirements.

1. The Learners

a) are co-responsible for their educational process according to their age and school level

b) contribute through their behavior to the success of lessons, as well as to the class and school community

c) attend all mandatory subjects, special events, project weeks, excursions, camps, and school events. Exceptions are allowed for exemption or leave of absence for important reasons in individual cases

d) comply with the instructions of the teacher, school management, and school authority, and take care of materials and facilities

1. Disciplinary measures that are educationally meaningful may be imposed on students whose behavior gives rise to complaints.

2. The most severe disciplinary measure is expulsion from school. During the first nine years of mandatory schooling, expulsion from school must be accompanied by the arrangement of another suitable form of schooling or an educationally meaningful measure.

3. The district council regulates the measures, responsibilities, and procedures in disciplinary matters by ordinance.

1. The teacher is tasked with educating and instructing the students entrusted to them in accordance with the objectives of this law and their professional duties. They fulfill this responsibility in cooperation with the parents, the teaching staff, and the school authorities.

1. Admission to teaching positions at public schools is granted to individuals who possess a teaching authorization from the competent authority.

2. The teaching authorization is issued only to individuals who possess adequate education, sufficient health, and the necessary personal attributes required for teaching duties.

1. The competent authority may revoke the teaching license from teachers for important reasons.

2. Important reasons include, in particular, insufficient teaching ability, serious neglect of duty, or conduct that is incompatible with the position as a teaching and educational person.

1. Teachers may only be employed with a valid teaching license.

2. Before employing school staff, a special private extract from the criminal record must be obtained.

3. Before the employment contract is concluded, references shall be obtained from the last place of employment. If references cannot be obtained, inquiries regarding professional qualifications shall be conducted.

1. From the age of 55, the mandatory workload is reduced by 7 percent for employment levels of 30 percent or more, and by 10 percent from the age of 60.

2. The reduction is granted from the year in which the respective age is reached.

1. Special education teachers and therapeutic professionals are equal to teachers in their rights and obligations.

1. Assistant personnel participate in school instruction as non-pedagogically trained staff.

2. The assistant person assumes tasks assigned to them by the teaching staff. This may include active assistance and presence during lessons or the supervision of individual learners.

3. Assistant personnel must not be used for activities such as substituting for teaching staff, taking over teaching sequences, being responsible for supporting a child, a group, or a class, or handling complex situations.

1. Election and Composition of the School Board are governed, within the framework of the Constitution of the Canton of Uri and the Municipal Act (RB 1.1111), by the Municipal Regulations.

1. The school board organizes and manages the school in strategic terms.

2. It fulfills all the duties of the school authority that are not explicitly assigned to another entity.

1. Municipalities that have joined together for the common management of a school, type of school, or level of school can elect a district school council in which the affiliated municipalities are appropriately represented.

2. The responsibilities of the district school council are determined in detail according to the regulations applicable to the school council.

1. Schools are operated by school management in accordance with cantonal guidelines.

2. The school management is responsible for the educational, personnel, and operational leadership and development of the school. It is supported in this by the school office.

3. The specific responsibilities and tasks of the school management are determined by the hiring authority.

1. The Government Council exercises overall supervision of the entire school and educational system in the canton.

2. It performs all tasks that are not explicitly assigned to another authority.

1. The competent directorate administers the entire school and educational system of the canton.

2. It has the following responsibilities

a) to ensure planning and coordination in the school and educational sector

b) to execute the decisions issued by the Government Council and the Education Council, and

c) to grant and revoke teaching authorization for the public school service.

1. Election and Composition of the Education Council are governed by the Constitution of the Canton of Uri.

1. The Education Council exercises direct supervision over the public school system within the framework of the legislation.

2. It assists the competent directorate with the planning and coordination in the school and educational sector.

3. It is specifically responsible for the public school to

a) issue curricula and timetables

b) determine the teaching materials

c) regulate the assessment, promotion, and transition of students

d) grant approval for the operation of private schools

e) mandate teacher training and professional development

f) authorize school experiments

g) elect the representatives of the canton in inter-cantonal commissions

h) decide on appeals against decisions of the school board

i) issue general directives to schools and teachers

j) enact regulations for the quality assurance of schools

4. It must be consulted by the Government Council and the competent directorate before making important decisions affecting the public school system.

5. It may establish committees to prepare and carry out specific tasks.

1. The cantonal school supervision oversees the compliance with cantonal regulations.

2. The organs of the cantonal school supervision collaborate with the school authorities and school administrations.

3. The school sponsors are obliged to provide the cantonal school supervision with the necessary information and data. This also includes data that the canton must forward to the federal government within the framework of school statistics.

4. The schools utilize various methods of evaluating their school quality and provide the results to the cantonal school supervision and the stakeholders involved.

5. The regional council regulates the cantonal school supervision by ordinance.

1. Unless expressly provided otherwise, the provisions of Section 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the bodies of the cantonal schools.

1. The canton and municipalities bear the costs of the school, insofar as they are the responsible bodies of the school and the legislation does not provide for any exceptions.

1. The canton provides the municipalities with contributions towards their expenditures in the school sector.

2. The Landrat (Cantonal Parliament) regulates the type, conditions, and amount of the contribution through an ordinance. It may introduce lump sums.

1. Solutions are developed in schools through a consensual exchange between school authorities, students, and their parents.

2. Otherwise, the provisions of the Ordinance on Administrative Jurisdiction (RB 2.2345) apply, unless the legislation specifies otherwise.

1. Decisions by school authorities may be appealed to the Education Council through an administrative complaint, unless canton law expressly provides otherwise. Reserved specifically is the legal recourse for decisions pertaining to personnel law.

2. First-instance decisions of the Education Council can be appealed to the Government Council through an administrative complaint.

3. Appeals against decisions of the Education Council can be filed with the Supreme Court as an administrative court complaint.

4. The procedure is governed by the Ordinance on Administrative Justice (RB 2.2345).

1. The Appeal of Penal Orders Issued by the School Board for Judicial Review is Governed by the Provisions of the Ordinance on Administrative Justice (RB 2.2345).

1. The district administrator supplements this law through ordinance and further elaborates on its execution.

2. He may further delegate certain legislative powers to the government council or the education council.

1. The Law of March 2, 1997, on School and Education, and the Law of November 26, 2006, on Vocational and Further Education are repealed.

1. For teachers who have already reached the age of 55 at the time this law comes into effect and are employed on a full-time basis, the age-based reduction will continue to be governed by the rules of the previous law, provided that this is more favorable for the individuals concerned.

1. This law is subject to a referendum.

2. The government council determines when the law comes into effect. It may implement it gradually.