Homeschooling in Switzerland

Post new topic

Bhavna Team

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam20 November 2019 04:32:18

40648

Hello everyone,

Homeschooling your children as an expat in Switzerland will definitely come with its load of challenges. Here is a special call to parents who are already homeschooling their children or who plan on doing so to share any information they might have.

Should you opt for homeschooling, is it legal in Switzerland ? Do you require to register your child or do you need any kind of permission / exemption from the authorities ? If it is not legal, what alternative option/s do you have ?

How do you go about getting all the necessary educational resources (books, syllabus, notes etc) to pursue your childrens education in Switzerland ? Does it depend on the curriculum ?

What do you add in your homeschooling techniques to help educate your child that might not be offered or available in traditional schooling ?

How do you socialise homeschooled children in Switzerland by providing them opportunities to interact with other children ?

If you have any interest in homeschooling, could you please share your views on the pros and cons ?

Thank you for sharing your experience,
Bhavna

Twan Contributor

Member since 10 August 2011

TwanContributor27 November 2019 11:32:42

132

I have no personal experience with homeschooling in Switzerland.

In general: it is possible, but
- the canton (as being the responsible authority for education) has to allow it (you have to ask explicitly for permission);
- the canton can set quite some obligations and conditions to homeschooling.

Criteria might include:
- the particular situation of the child (like: having an illness that makes it difficult to attend regular school, or: frequent moves from one city to another)
- social skills and social links of the child (as school is not only a place for learning but also a place for making friends and developing social skills)

The canton will -once permission has been given- definitely have regular checks on the quality of the education. When certain standards are not met, you may be obliged to fulfill the standards in very short time - or, alternatively, being enforced to send your child to a state or private school.

starjam New member

Member since 20 May 2023

starjamNew member20 May 2023 22:37:45

To the OP. How did you go with homeschooling?

I have an 11 and 13-year-old who are keen to homeschool when we arrive, but it doesn't seem as popular as it is here in Australia.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Switzerland

Study in Zurich
With 400,000 inhabitants only, Zurich is not only Switzerland's most densely populated city but also its ...
Developing your social circle in Geneva
Having recently arrived in Geneva, you might initially feel a bit isolated. Although the city is relatively quiet ...
Choosing your neighborhood in Geneva
Geneva is a multicultural city, with nearly 50% of its workforce coming from abroad, especially in its many ...
Choosing your neighborhood in Zurich
With a population of 1.4 million in 2024, Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and is divided into 12 ...
Dating in Switzerland
How can I find dating opportunities in Switzerland, and are there any particular customs to be aware of? Dating in ...
Buying property in Zurich
As an expatriate, the prospect of investing in real estate can be quite enticing. Some countries have especially ...
The work culture in Zurich
Many expatriates are drawn to Zurich for its competitive salaries. If you're curious about the working ...
The work culture in Geneva
Although Geneva is close to France and very international, it has a distinct professional culture. Understanding ...