National Law of Adult Continuing Education
The adult continuing education sector in Switzerland is heterogeneously structured and poorly regulated by law. Since 2004, the federal law on vocational education also includes a chapter on vocational continuing education. These provisions, however, are not sufficient to regulate and support the continuing education sector in such a way that they match its current status. The same applies to the special laws (such as the Higher Education Act or the Unemployment Insurance Act), which also only cover certain aspects. Missing here is a comprehensive regulation that would allow the continuing education sector to be developped and supported as part of the national education system.
The need for action is undeniable. Political demands have been raised for decades, since 1968 also by SVEB. And this persistence has finally paid off:
On May 21, 2006 the nation voted yes to the new constitution on education. With this the Swiss people issued a mandate to the federal government to regulate for the first time by law the whole sector of adult continuing education as a whole. The relevant article reads:
- The federal government issues principle rules on continuing education.
- It can promote the development of the continuing education sector
- The law determines the areas and criteria.
Based on these principals Switzerland will adopt its first federal law on continuing education within the next few years. However, it has not been decided yet what specific form the law will have: whether it will be a new and comprehensive basic law or whether it will only be an extension of existing special laws.
This happened so far:
21 May 2006:
Referendum on a new constitution regarding the education system. The people clearly vote yes and authorize the federal government to regulate the education system.
End of 2006:
The Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (BBT) takes the leading role in the development of a national system of education. Its first action is the creation of a discussion paper for the Federal Council.
January 2008:
Based on the discussion paper, the Federal Council decides that a detailed situation analysis of the existing education policy is needed. Its preparation is assigned to the Department of Home Affairs (EDI) and the Department of Economic Affairs (EVD). The responsibility remains with the BBT.
March 25, 2009:
The Federal Council deals with the EDI / EVD situation analysis. It is decided not to discuss it further. The report is to be revised and again presented to the Federal Council at a later time.
April 6, 2009:
The National Council's Commission of Science, Education and Culture (WBK-N) launches the parliamentary initiative "continuing education" (09 426).
August 17, 2009:
In a petition launched by the SVEB office more than 150 organizations from all over Switzerland submit a request to the Federal Council and Parliament to implement the constitutional mandate of 2006 and to finalize the proposed continuing education law.
November 4, 2009:
The parliamentary initiative and the request to the authorities show an effect. The deadlock in the discussion about the continuing education policy can be solved. A committee of experts is to outline a draft for a continuing education law based on the revised report of EVD / EDI. The consultation draft should be available by the end of 2011.
December 22, 2009:
SVEB presents a broad expert proposal for a new education law, drawn up by Christoph Reichenau, former deputy director of the Federal Office of Culture (BAK).
January 14, 2010:
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard presents the continuing education report EVD / EDI to the National Council's Commission of Science, Education and Culture (WBK-SR).
February 4, 2010:
The Council of States Commission, Commission on Science, Education and Culture (WBK-SR) discusses the EVD / EDI continuing education report
February 25, 2010:
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard appoints the members of the expert commission to work on the continuing education law."
May 5, 2010:
The Commission of Experts "Continuing Education Law" takes office. SVEB submits a basic law proposal to the commission.
October 4, 2010:
The commission appointed by the Federal Council has begun to develop the education law. A first hearing with interested and affected parties has taken place.
Outlook
By the end of the legislative period 2011 a consultation draft for a basic continuing educaton law should be finished.
