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Valais Education Minister Christophe Darbellay talks to the press on March 23, 2026. <\/p>\n
Keystone-SDA <\/p>\n
According to the latest Swiss Education Report, 90.1% of 25\u2011year\u2011olds in Switzerland complete upper secondary education, short of the 95% target.\n<\/p>\n
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March 23, 2026 – 16:59\n<\/p>\n
+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n This figure has been stable for several years. In 2016, it stood at 91.5%, the Swiss federal government and the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) said on Monday. <\/p>\n The number is important with regard to the employability of 25-year-olds. In Switzerland, upper secondary level encompasses post-compulsory education programmes such as grammar schools, which lead to the Matura [or A-level] qualification, specialised schools and vocational training programmes.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Education\n <\/p>\n Apprenticeships in Switzerland <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Sep 22, 2022 <\/p>\n Pupils face an important choice at the end of compulsory: apprenticeships or high school. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Apprenticeships in Switzerland Vocational training less firmly established in French-speaking Switzerland<\/p>\n The Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education (SKBF) has produced the Swiss Education Report every four years since 2010. It does so on behalf of the federal authorities and EDK. <\/p>\n On Monday, Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Christophe Darbellay, the education minister of canton Valais, presented the most recent report to journalists in Bern. Parmelin is also Swiss education minister, while Darbellay chairs the EDK.<\/p>\n Darbellay explained the declining graduation rate by the fact that vocational training is less attractive in French-speaking Switzerland. In French-speaking cantons, the rate is between 85% and 92%, while in German-speaking regions it is higher: 92-96%.<\/p>\n The different value placed on vocational training is evident in canton Valais, Darbellay said. In French-speaking Monthey, 82% of 25-year-olds have an upper secondary diploma, while in Visp in the Upper Valais region is it 98%. There, vocational training is strong.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Education\n <\/p>\n Learning from Switzerland: global delegates explore apprenticeship model <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Nov 8, 2025 <\/p>\n Experts recently travelled to Bern to find out how Swiss apprenticeships work. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Learning from Switzerland: global delegates explore apprenticeship model \u201cWe still have a lot of persuasion to do to make parents understand that vocational training may be the better path,\u201d said Parmelin.<\/p>\n The federal authorities and cantons are also not happy about the number of students dropping out. \u201cCurrently, the rate remains at a consistently high level,\u201d they say. \u201cAround 24% of students starting their studies do not achieve a bachelor\u2019s degree at a university within eight years of starting.\u201d<\/p>\n More holidays for apprentices would be affordable<\/p>\n The number of apprenticeship contract terminations is also high. According to a statement by the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB), a quarter of apprentices terminate their apprenticeship contract prematurely. After termination, 20% do not re-enter training. This reveals a \u201cmassive quality problem\u201d in SGB\u2019s view, and the myth of \u201cperfect vocational training\u201d in Switzerland does not match reality.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Education\n <\/p>\n Why the Swiss school system is so successful <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Apr 8, 2025 <\/p>\n Go to university or complete an apprenticeship? Switzerland\u2019s unique dual system opens up career paths early on, but leaves many options open for later. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Why the Swiss school system is so successful On Monday, the union called for specific improvements to be made for apprentices. These include more holidays and better health protection. In addition, the salaries of trainees should not be less than CHF5,000 ($6,350), according to SGB. It wants to hold training companies more accountable. The union says binding minimum standards and controls are needed, as well as measures to ensure sufficient apprenticeship places are offered.<\/p>\n Analysis of report to follow<\/p>\n In their initial assessment of the new education report, Parmelin and Darbellay stressed that the joint education objectives are long-term. They will now examine whether additional measures or new objectives are required.<\/p>\n The 400-page report consolidates current knowledge about the Swiss education system across all education levels. The federal authorities and cantons share responsibility for the Swiss education system. While compulsory schooling falls under cantonal jurisdiction, responsibilities in the post-compulsory sector are divided between the federal government and the cantons.<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Education\n <\/p>\n Why is Switzerland\u2019s higher education so good? <\/p>\n How many universities are there in Switzerland? How can students access them? Where do foreign students fit in? <\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/df2eee20150b3bdc63fda7661ce2dd15-324897805-jpg-data.jpg\")
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