Why the education report affects us all

A quick look at the daily news reveals ever-growing geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and an increasingly uncertain international situation. At the same time, technological advances – above all, progress in artificial intelligence – are fundamentally transforming the economy and society.

In this complex landscape, education plays a vital role. It determines whether future generations will not only be able to cope with these changes but also actively shape them. Education is far more than an individual resource – it is a fundamental prerequisite for economic stability, social cohesion, and democratic participation.

Education policy decisions must therefore be based on solid foundations. This is precisely where federal and cantonal education monitoring comes into play. The Swiss Education Report is the main instrument in this process: it shows where the education system is functioning well, and where action is needed. This year's report was published by the Swiss Coordination Office for Educational Research (SKBF) and marks the fifth edition since 2010.

The findings of the current report provide us with an opportunity to review joint federal and cantonal education policy objectives, which were last updated in 2023, and to revise them as needed. One key objective remains unchanged: 95 percent of 25-year-olds should hold an upper-secondary qualification. This objective is ambitious but justified. Such a qualification is decisive for future prospects – it facilitates entry into the labour market, opens doors to further education, and strengthens the capacity for lifelong learning.

The latest figures, however, warrant attention. The graduation rate has recently fallen somewhat. At the same time, shifts within the system are evident: the proportion of young people undergoing vocational education and training is declining slightly, and learners starting their apprenticeships are bringing fewer skills to the table. While not yet a crisis, it is a clear signal.

Consolidating strengths, addressing challenges

It is particularly worth noting that cantons with strong vocational education and training systems have higher graduation rates. Vocational education and training thus remains a key pillar of the Swiss education system – and a successful model to be reinforced. The willingness of companies to offer apprenticeship positions is a cornerstone of the system, but one that cannot be taken for granted. The fact that the federal government, cantons, and the business community are working together on a roadmap to enhance the appeal of vocational education and training is therefore a major step.

At the same time, there have also been significant developments in the tertiary sector. Since the turn of the millennium, the proportion of 25- to 35-year-olds holding a tertiary-level qualification has doubled to nearly half of all people in this age group. The existence of multiple pathways leading to both professional education and higher education has contributed to this outcome.

This diversity in particular is one of Switzerland’s strengths. Academic and vocational pathways complement one another. They are not opposites, but rather two sides of the same coin. Maintaining permeability is therefore crucial: entry, transition, and re-entry across different types of education and training must be an intrinsic feature of the entire education system.

Alongside quality and permeability, efficiency is another important factor. Trends in student numbers, qualifications awarded, and costs per person provide valuable insights into how the system can be managed and financed in the future. When public funding becomes less generous, questions inevitably arise as to where resources will have the greatest impact. 

The 2026 Education Report provides comprehensive and up-to-date facts for Swiss education policymakers. The upcoming analysis of this report's findings will reveal what discussions it sparks and what actions will follow. One thing is already certain: education policy remains a constant endeavour. And one that we all have a stake in.