Teaching in Switzerland: An Inside Perspective — Multitasking, Support, and Daily Challenges
Being a teacher in Switzerland means more than just imparting knowledge; it involves fulfilling a wide range of responsibilities that shape the quality of education and the trust placed in educators across the country.
Unlike the Ukrainian system, where teachers often work as solitary heroes, Swiss professionals operate within tight-knit teams, serving as coordinators and mediators in complex processes of children’s adaptation and integration.
My experience teaching in integration classes at an elementary school in Darmstadt provides insight into how this system functions from within.
Swiss teachers are tasked not only with delivering curriculum but also with managing children’s behavior, social adaptation, and psychological well-being.
This often involves regular collaboration with psychologists, speech therapists, social educators, and other specialists, transforming their work into true team efforts.
These meetings include detailed discussions about each child’s needs, with official protocols and individual plans drafted to ensure tailored support.
Equally vital is active communication with parents, who are engaged not just as spectators but as partners in shaping educational strategies tailored to their child’s needs.
All of these responsibilities fall outside regular lessons and demand high levels of organization and accountability from teachers.Moreover, the Swiss system grants teachers significant autonomy.
The curriculum ‘Lehrplan 21’ provides flexibility in how educational content is delivered, encouraging project-based and interactive learning methods.
Teachers are empowered to combine subjects, tailor activities to students’ interests, and allocate time based on pedagogical judgment.
They can implement long-term projects—such as school postal services, theater productions, or mini-gardens—which develop skills and creativity.
Collaboration with ‘Heilpädagog’—a special education teacher supporting individual student needs—further enriches the learning process.
This flexibility also comes with challenges: detailed planning, addressing linguistic and cultural diversity, and integrating students with special needs.Flexibility extends to workload arrangements.
Ongoing demographic shifts—such as aging teachers and migration—mean that part-time or flexible schedules are common, helping educators stay motivated and reducing burnout.
Systematic support includes access to teaching materials, technological tools, and dedicated budgets for classroom activities, trips, and projects.
The time allocated for preparation is used for creative endeavors: writing books with students, organizing mini-museums, staging performances, or creating reading corners.Importantly, Swiss teachers are not isolated in their work.
They can consult with specialists when facing challenges and are not burdened with solving problems alone.
This approach fosters stability and job satisfaction.
Despite the high demands, the education system provides resources and opportunities for continuous development.
Such an environment nurtures trust and collaboration, motivating teachers to inspire students and seek innovative ways to unlock their potential.