Or of getting a private school place or tutor funded through the GEF?
Does anyone have any experience of being allowed to homeschool in Switzerland (BE) when not being a native speaker?
I was under the impression that all children were expected to attend state-run schools and according to ch.ch that is the case:
Communes responsible for school
Local councils are responsible for ensuring that all children can attend a local state-run school. The local school authorities can answer any questions about school.
If I were you I would check this out with your Gemeinde.
No, that is not the case.
Homeschooling is allowed in some cantons and amongst the cantons that doesn’t allow it the criteria vary widely.
The OP would be best off contacting her local school authority to find out what their rules are as I doubt whether anybody on here will be able to give her an accurate response.
Homeschooling is allowed here for example and one doesn’t have to be a native french speaker.
You have to get a permit from the school inspection to be able to do so, for this you need a proper educational and pedagogic plan and you need properly educated people who perform the teaching and you need the space and materials. Take up contact with Bern School inspection, they are the ones who decide and can tell you all the specific demands.
GEF will not fund you your private schooling, it would make no sense also since the state already provides a much cheaper free schooling for all.
Can attent, meaning they have to offer the option for all. Proper alternatives like private schools and approved homeschooling are also allowed.
Dragoneiric, you might want to get in touch with Bildung zu Hause, an association that supports home schooling in Switzerland. The Bern group is here:
https://bildungzuhause.ch/kantone/bern/
They should be able to explain cantonal and hopefully local regulations, as well as offer advice and point you to other relevant information or resources.
... or before re-inventing the wheel, contact people who have already succesfully done this and consider joining them.
If the Op would share their reason for not wanting to trust the state school system or any of the available private or international etc school systems, they might even find somebody here who can offer advice ...
As I understand it, the Swiss law states that children are entitled to adequate schooling for 9 years. Note that is different than being entitled to an ideal school solution (as defined by the parents).
I don't know how it exactly works in Bern, but in Kanton Zürich the local school district may determine that a private school is an adaquate solution and pay for it. I think this decision would be made after other less expensive options have been tried out and is normally not something that parents should request.
Have you been talking to the teachers, the Schulleiter or the other support system (therapists and school psychologists)? What do they suggest / what do they say? If they believe that your child should be in school, there is probably no chance that they'll turn around and pay for a private solution.
Re-inventing the wheel or not, if OP wants homeschooling (Or private schooling of up to 4 kids) it is the parents who need a permit from the school inspection to do so. And the school inspection can tell her right away if they are qualified to so.
Use of the word adequate is noted, thanks!
The school has "unofficially" suggested that we look into private schooling. (Mainly because they can't be arsed to implement any of the recommended adjustments.) If they say it again, I'm going to request it in writing! Teachers standard line is "but we have 25 other children in the class". A psychiatrist (who has never met my child, but has read his file) suggested he would benefit from home schooling or a tutor visiting the home.
I found this:
Sobald diese Ermächtigung erteilt ist, stehen die Eltern in der Pflicht, eine passende Schulung für ihr Kind zu finden. Dies ermöglicht den Eltern und Kindern, eine auf ihre Bedürfnisse abgestimmte Schule zu bestimmen. Involvierte Fachstellen (bspw. Erziehungs- beratung, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie der UPD AG Bern, heilpädagogische Früherziehung, Sozialdienste) unterstützen die Eltern bei der Suche nach der passenden Schulung. Ist eine passende Schulung gefunden, beantragen die Eltern eine Kostengutsprache bei der Gesundheits- und Fürsorgedirektion (GEF) und schliessen, bei positivem Bescheid, einen Vertrag mit der gewählten Schule ab.
which seemed to imply to me that it would technically be possible, even if very unlikely.
Right now I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible rather than make any official requests.
OP I am not familiar with Bern but here in Zurich I have experienced first hand how the schools may try to put on parents' shoulder the responsibility of private schooling when the going gets tough.
The reality as mentioned is that the school is responsible. Hence keep on pushing to get your child what he needs, know your rights and make it clear to the school letting that you will not back down.
Stay strong, it's not easy!
That quote in German seems to be about finding another school, as opposed to the local government school to which the child is allocated by default.
Do you think it applies to home-schooling, too? Perhaps the group to which meloncollie linked, in post 6 above, would be able to clarify the difference, or the applicability.
That school sounds lousy. I'm sorry this is happening.
It says "passende Schulung" which I took to mean any form of education as opposed to "Schule". I did call up a local private school to ask if they accepted students financed through the GEF. She said yes and asked what the issues are (i.e. she knew what I was talking about) so I assume it must be possible.
A child with special needs and who doesn’t speak the local language would be a challenge in any classroom.
OP, does your child not speak the local language?
Yes, he does!
There is something really odd about this situation if home schooling has been suggested. That’s an unusual recommendation in Switzerland.
...school
On a more serious note, I am currently kicking myself for not having done the teacher training module when I was at uni...