Education concerns – naturally!

When you move to Switzerland to set up home, your children’s education is paramount. And trust me, it is not as difficult as it all seems. Different – yes. Complex – a bit.  As a mother whose children are born here, navigating Spielgruppe to Mittelschule and beyond has been quite a ride. But there is help.

My education is India-based. I started at the age of three with pre-nursery and moved through primary school. middle and high school. Then off to college for a Bachelor’s degree, followed by a Master’s. Of course, the goal is simple: getting a job in a country where the sheer population size creates competition at every level! But a step into higher education holds you in good stead.

Culturally,  I was taught – education is key. Get it, excel in it, get a job, work hard to excel. No education or a lower education translated to a lower social status, lesser income and a not-so-great lifestyle. I remember growing up with the mantra: if you want to be someone, study hard. There are no 2 ways to success of any kind – personal or professional.

The competition and stress levels were mind-boggling, but the goal and the route were clear. There were no options.

THAT WAS THAT!

And now, here I was, in Switzerland – a country of options.  Routes to those options of having a secure social and financial future were many. There was no professional discrimination. People trained. They took pride in their jobs, be it plumbing or repairing rooftops or that of a lawyer or doctor.

With two children, two years apart, there was a lot of learning to do. So, thinking the way a journalist-mompreneur would, I researched, reviewed, revised and wrote.

This article talks about the schooling options and the obligatory education: https://namasteswitzerland.ch/2018/09/08/the-a-b-c-of-the-swiss-education-system/

This one takes you a step ahead into the wonder years after 14, where your child needs to make choices. In conversation with an expert, find out more at: https://namasteswitzerland.ch/2018/12/08/certificate-diploma-baccalaureates/

Please note: Each canton is likely to have a separate system in place – be it grading, admissions or a complete line of academic or vocational training. Perfectly working systems also change – and education systems change to fit into this evolving world of new professions, new criteria and more. While the 2 articles provide a general guideline, make sure you stay up-to-date with what’s happening in your locality!

Bildungssystem Schweiz. Quelle: Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI

Über Aradhna Sethi

Author of ‘The Entrepreneur’s Wife – A Survival Guide’ (for adults) and ‘The Swan that laid Golden Eggs’ (for children), former Chief Editor of Swiss News and consulting editor for Swiss publications, Aradhna came to Switzerland in 2001. Hier she founded "Namaste Switzerland" an online infotainment platform designed to address the needs of the expat community living in Switzerland and the Swiss locals interested in knowing more about the diverse lifestyles of the foreign residents within the country.

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