The following are distinct features of the Swiss education system:

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http://www.swissworld.org/dvd_rom/direct_democracy_2005/index.html

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http://www.swissworld.org/en/education/
Education in Switzerland

Switzerland prides itself on its high standard of publicly-funded education. As a country with few natural resources, its prosperity depends to a large extent on its brain power. Most people continue studying after the years of compulsory education, and many take further courses throughout their lives. At the same time, the education system has to deal with new challenges in the face of changes in society and the world.


http://www.swissworld.org/en/education/general_overview/the_swiss_education_system/
The Swiss education system
Second-graders on their way to school (in new window)

Second-graders on their way to school© Christian Helme

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 (EDK in German). The EDK plays an important role in discussing and coordinating education policy, and in stressing certain key values.

http://www.edk.ch/dyn/11586.php
The Swiss education system


The education system of the multilingual and federally structured Switzerland is unique because it is firmly rooted in the local municipalities, cantons and language regions. The primary responsibility lies with the 26 cantons. The federal authorities and the cantons share responsibility for post-compulsory education.

Accordingly, there is no "ministry of education" at the national level. National coordination agency is the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK). The main addresses for many questions are the cantonal education departments.

The points of contact for the federal authorities are the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) (vocational education and training and universities of applied sciences) and the State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) (matura schools, universites, research).
More informations

http://www.edk.ch/dyn/16342.php
The following are distinct features of the Swiss education system:

* Permeability: There are many ways to enter or transfer to a training programme or school or to attend a catch up training programme.
* There is open access to the various types of education: Anyone who has the necessary qualifications can generally attend the course of his/her choice, the university attended can also be freely selected. Vocational education and training is subject to some restrictions due to the ceilings on student numbers for certain vocational areas. Access to medical schools is also limited to a certain extent.

Diplomas are recognised throughout Switzerland, thus facilitating national and international mobility.