Pupils will finish year on time despite corona closure
Despite distance learning, the school year will not be extended and students will receive diplomas upon completion of coursework.
Keystone / Marcel Bieri
The school year will not be extended and secondary students will receive their diplomas despite the school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Thursday, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Education Ministers adopted common principlesExternal link and measures to help harmonise solutions at a national level for education in primary and secondary school levels as well as teacher training.
Cantons are usually responsible for educational matters in Switzerland which is why the nationwide closure of all schools by the government until at least April 19 was so unprecedented.
Schools have been adapting to the nationwide closure, which is now in its third week, with a variety of tools including online instruction.
The cantonal education ministers agreed that the 2019/2020 school year would be accepted despite lessons being carried remotely due to school closures. The schoolyear will not be extended and school calendars in each canton will remain valid. In addition, vacations will not be used for teaching.
External Content
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.
Report cards will be issued by schools and include mention that there was no classroom teaching during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measures also guarantee that all upper secondary students who pass their courses will be allowed to pursue further studies or a job placement this autumn. Students in their final year of general or vocational schooling will also receive their diploma provided they pass their courses. A decision on how the diplomas will be issued is expected in May.
By the end of April, addition information will be provided on the pupils making the transition from primary to secondary and secondary to upper secondary school.
Swiss political class divided over reform of EU asylum pact
This content was published on
As a result of the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact, Switzerland must adapt five laws linked to the Schengen/Dublin agreements.
AI can reduce the number of animals needed for research
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have developed a new, AI-supported method that analyses the behaviour of mice in the laboratory more efficiently.
Geneva Conventions conference on Middle East scheduled for March 2025
This content was published on
The conference on the Middle East of the 196 States party to the Geneva Conventions, organised by Switzerland, will take place in Geneva in March.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland closes its schools to slow virus spread
This content was published on
On March 13, the Swiss government announced the temporary closure of schools and universities nationwide to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Why homework won’t disappear after home studying ends
This content was published on
When distance learning now in place as a result of the coronavirus outbreak comes to end, Swiss schools will reopen the debate on homework.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.