Question 164 of 350 · School and everyday life
What is compulsory in the Swiss education system?
Was ist im Schweizer Bildungssystem obligatorisch?
Correct answer: D
Why
Primary school is part of compulsory schooling. All children must attend it.
Common mistakes
- B: Day-care centre
- Day-care is voluntary. School only becomes compulsory from kindergarten.
- C: Baccalaureate school (Maturitätsschule)
- Baccalaureate school (Gymnasium) is voluntary. It comes after compulsory schooling.
Topic
In Switzerland, all children must go to school. In most cantons, compulsory schooling lasts 11 years. It begins at about the age of 4 with two years of kindergarten. Then come 6 years of primary school and 3 years of lower secondary school. This is set out in the HarmoS Agreement, an agreement between the cantons. The canton of Zurich applies it too.
Living in Switzerland · School and everyday life
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.