SwissCommunity The tasks of Swiss schools abroad include not only bilingual teaching based on the Swiss curriculum but also promoting Swiss culture and supporting ties between young Swiss citizens living abroad and their homeland. They are also intended to be multicultural meeting places. Heinz Rhyn, educationsuisse president, says: “Those who attend a Swiss school abroad not only benefit from the quality of the school and the teaching according to the Swiss curriculum and requirements, but also learn several languages and get to know different cultures. Swiss values and broadening horizons, innovation and networking, building bridges and strengthening community – this is what pupils and students learn in Swiss schools in addition to acquiring academic skills. Swiss school qualifications are recognised at all levels. This means that those who graduate with a Swiss Matura can also study at Swiss universities.” Since the founding of its predecessor organisation, the umbrella association educationsuisse has developed into a central interface in the school network and represents the schools’ interests vis-à-vis authorities and politicians in Switzerland. Its main tasks include promoting and connecting schools, advising and supporting graduates of these schools and, more generally, young RUTH VON GUNTEN The 17 Swiss schools abroad recognised by the federal government are located on three continents in ten countries. They were originally founded by local Swiss communities abroad. Today, the Swiss Schools Act sets out the requirements for the recognition of these schools. The Federal Office of Culture is responsible for Swiss schools abroad within the Federal Administration and for calculating subsidy contributions. Each school is supported by a “patron” canton, which provides pedagogical advice and supervision. The Swiss schools abroad Swiss schools abroad and their umbrella organisation currently have growing concerns about their future. The austerity measures proposed by the federal government are threatening their existence around the globe. The Swiss schools abroad Brazil – Escola Suíço-Brasileira de São Paulo – Colégio Suíço-Brasileiro, Curitiba Chile – Colegio Suizo de Santiago China – Swiss School Beijing Italy – Scuola Svizzera Bergamo – Scuola Svizzera Catania – Scuola Svizzera di Roma – Scuola Svizzera Rahn Education Milano Colombia – Colegio Helvetia, Bogotá Mexico – Colegio Suizo de México – Campus México CDMX – Colegio Suizo de México – Campus Cuernavaca – Colegio Suizo de México – Campus Querétaro Peru – Colegio Pestalozzi, Lima Singapore – Swiss School in Singapore Spain – Colegio Suizo de Madrid – Escuela Suiza de Barcelona Thailand – RIS Swiss Section – Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok Umbrella organisation Educationsuisse, www.educationsuisse.ch Swiss citizens living abroad who are looking for post-compulsory education in Switzerland. educationsuisse is also the employer of Swiss teachers at Swiss schools in Europe. Financed mainly by parental contributions, Swiss schools act as ambassadors for Switzerland in their host countries by imparting Swiss education and values and strengthening ties between Switzerland and other countries. This long-established presence would be jeopardised by the drastic reduction in subsidies, and decades of networking and development work would be undone. educationsuisse is the umbrella organisation of the 17 Swiss schools abroad recognised by the federal government. educationsuisse advises and supports both young Swiss Abroad and students from Swiss Schools abroad, who wish to pursue their education or training in Switzerland. educationsuisse, education in Switzerland, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland Tel. +41 31 356 61 04; info@educationsuisse.ch; www.educationsuisse.ch Teaching in line with the Swiss curriculum – at a Swiss school in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: educationsuisse 34 Swiss Review / December 2025 / No.5
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