Slide 1
SWITZERLAND
SPAIN
COMPARATIVE EDUCATION SWITZERLAND
VS. SPAIN
SWITZERLAND
Geographical Location
- Landlocked Country
Surrounded by:
Divided by the
CANTON
PHILIPPINES 100 MILLIONU.S.A. 322 MILLIONCHINA 1.3SWITZERLAND 8
MILLION
Switzerland has a largely decentralised education system. Most
decisions on the running of primary and secondary schools are taken
at cantonal level. It is also the cantons which provide the bulk of
the financing.
Switzerland does not have a federal minister of education.
Nevertheless, some organisational aspects of the education system
apply across the country. These include the duration of the school
year, and the number of years of compulsory schooling.
In other areas the cantons, and even the communes, have
traditionally enjoyed a large degree of autonomy.Each canton has
its own head of education, all of whom together make up the Swiss
Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education.
Educational system The preschool stage, or kindergarten, is
financed largely by the commune.
Depending on the canton, children have the right to one or two
years of kindergarten education before starting compulsory
schooling.
The age at which children start primary school varies by canton;
the youngest is 6.
The number of years spent also varies: in most cantons it is 6
years, but in others it is 5 or 4.
The compulsory education last for nine years.
Although private schools exist, the majority of children attend
state-run schools.
Post-compulsory: At the age of 16, students who wish to continue
their education move into Secondary II, which generally lasts 3-4
years.
Post-compulsory: Secondary II either provides vocational
training for direct entry into the labour market, or prepares
students for tertiary education.
Tertiary educationSwitzerland offers students a broad choice of
third-level education opportunities. However, the options open to
school-leavers depend on the type of secondary education they
received. Access to university, Federal Institutes of Technology,
Universities of Applied Sciences and teacher training college is
open to holders of a Matura (high-school diploma).
SubjectsSwitzerland is adapting its education system to keep
pace with globalisation and growing partnership with other
countries.
The aim of the education provided is not only to ensure that
pupils possess the necessary knowledge, but that they are able to
adapt to new circumstances in a rapidly changing world.This
includes improving reading and writing in the mother tongue.
One of the most controversial changes proposed in recent years
is the introduction of
in primary school.
The move to promote primary school English came from Zurich's
(head of education in 2000). Some German speaking cantons followed
Zurich's lead, which was fiercely resisted by French speakers.
Objections to the scheme are twofold:
The promotion of a Non-Swiss language threatens national
unity.Children in the second year of schooling are too young to
start a new language.
An additional problem is the lack of primary school teachers
qualified in English.
Supporters of the scheme answer the objections by saying:
English is an international language which children need to
know.
Young children learn languages easily. English is taught in a
fun way, and is regarded as "cool".In any case, since the human
brain is better suited to learn languages at an early age, it is
intended that children should start two foreign languages at
primary school.
SPAIN
The current system ofeducationinSpainis known as LOE. Ley
Orgnica de Educacin, Fundamental Law of Education.Education in
Spain is compulsory, and free from 6 to 16 years of age, supported
by the Government in each Region
Schools in Spain are free from age 4 onwards. Enrolment for
September generally begins around March.If its too late and the
school you want your child to get into is full, the authorities are
always required to find an opening at a public school for your
child.
Public, Private, and Mixed (concertada), meaning the schools
receives some government funding, and you pay less than you would
at a private school.There are three types of schools
For example, in Barcelona,
a private school might cost you 500 euros per month, with
classes taught in Castellano and English instead of Cataln.
a concertada might cost 250 euros/month with 70% of the classes
in Cataln.
a public school is free with 100% of the classes in Cataln.
24,181.54 pesos
Infant education (Educacin infantil)
2 cycles in 6 years 1st cycle 0 to 3 years old 2nd cycle 3 to 6
years old
(primer ciclo)(segundo ciclo)(tercer ciclo)A child may be asked
to repeat a year if they have not reached the education level
needed to carry on to the next cycle.
Insuficiente(IN) - InsufficientSuficiente(SU) -
SufficientBien(BI) - GoodNotable(NT) - Very goodSobresaliente(SB) -
OutstandingChildren are graded in the following manner:
Basic Education
TheSpanish high schoolBaccalaureate is non-compulsory but free
education that consists of one cycle in two academic years for
students age 16-18.
Students who have finished theirBachillerato (secondary school),
they can take their University Entrance Exam, also known as Pruebas
de Acceso a la Universidad
School TermsThree Terms similar to English terms. But shorter
holidays.Christmas Easter Summer There are frequent odd days and
long weekends relating mainly to religious holidays and regional
and national holidays.
Spanish Vocational Training Two types:Middle Grade Training
cycles for those who only have their ESO (compulsory education)
diploma.
Superior Training Cycles for those who possess a Spanish
Baccalaureate diploma.Those who complete a Superior Training Cycle
may then pursue certain university degrees.
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