Regarding Swiss schools, the ETH is very well regarded as well as the University of St.Gallen in economy.
ETH was ranked #3 in Europe by Newsweek.
Regarding Swiss schools, the ETH is very well regarded as well as the University of St.Gallen in economy.
ETH was ranked #3 in Europe by Newsweek.
When Mercedes and BMW setup assembly plants in the US, it is no secret that the management was quite underwhelmed with the people they found (and the quality was atrocious at the beginning).
All they found was high school dropouts and people with bogus AA degrees. They had to setup a strict apprenticeship program to train these people just like in Germany or Switzerland.
Show me a non-English speaking university that IS considered Ivy League. The problem is that universities are mainly perceived by the amount of research that is published. Research that is not published in English gets far less exposure than research that is. I acknowledge that English is a global language, but maybe by not looking further afield than that we are limiting ourselves.
But at the end of the day nations provide (or aim to provide) an education system that fulfils the needs of the nation. On the whole I would say that most Swiss are content with the education in Switzerland. Sure, it needs fine tuning here and there. Education is never finished, it can always be improved. But by and large, when Swiss kids finish school, they have a solid general education and they either go to university or they have learnt a trade.
ProsperityJoy obviously had very strong feelings about this subject and clear demands. That is the poster's right. But ProsperityJoy's demands may not be the demands of the majority and ProsperityJoy's perceptions may be only just that. It is a very subjective subject and, at the end of the day, each parent tries to make the most of the opportunities available to them for their own children. Yes, there must be opportunities for rocket scientists and Nobel prize winners, but bear in mind that these are the minority and it is still important (more important in my eyes) to provide an appropriate education to those who are average students (university material or otherwise). Switzerland, not being a particularly elitist country as we would probably all acknowldge, fulfils this requirement well in my eyes.
Switzerland, in my experience, seems to have mainstream education up to university level far more accessible to more of the population here than perhaps the US.
You might not come out of Swiss universities with a gold plated degree from an Ivy League institution but at least you have a greater chance as Joe Bloggs to get as far as degree level.
I have graduated from a Swiss University and can, without any doubt, say, that I believe it's utterly impossible to buy yourself through a public school here. You can perhaps buy a doctorate - I guess there it's easier because you only deal with 1 prof who might be corrupt. But an M.A. or M.Sc? Prove it.
On the other hand, it's a proven fact that a lump sum of money will get you into and through any American Ivy League University. Or if you don't personally have the cash, it also helps to be good at sports or be a member of an important family (the Bush family, for example).
Now please do elaborate. Anyway, to be honest - I'm not willing to continue this conversation on your level. Have a nice one.
I really only wanted advise on the secondary transition as my son will have only been in Primarschule for 2 years when he moves up.
I do feel so far that the Swiss school system has been overwhelmingly helpful to my children, where they have been given 4 lessons per week in Deutsch and integrated fully to their class from the start.
I found understanding the system difficult but after quite a few of your posts I am much more understanding of the schooling system now, as many of you will agree it is difficult at first not to compare to your own countries ways, but as they say "when in Rome" ok Switzerland!
I'm sure my son and daughter will get a fine education here. I'm just a concerned mum wanting the best.
Thanks again to those who actually stuck to the question, if I wanted to find out about Uni's in the US the thread would have been titled "Your thoughts of US Universities"
Then again, if the US managed to give the Homer Simpson of global politics a university education, I'm impressed...
regards,
Peter
If kids and parents are determined they will make everything work, go around obstacles, find a better school, shop for a better teacher, even if it means driving kids to a different school or moving a canton that provides better care for the youngins..Just do not settle down with something that does not suit your child. It does require you doing your homework, though, and get educated on all possible options here.
I am a Gymi drop-out and then later on a Uni-drop out, who always found a way back to a different, better school, was pretty determined and self suported. I enjoyed searching for schools that suited me and uni programs that were tailored to what was important to me that now I am doing a PhD in edu sciences. It taught me being responsible, motivated and systematic. Bending the rules requires a lot of discipline, eventhough it looks the opposite. I did not do it for any school's system sake, for no teachers that told me I wasn't able, not for my educated folks (who spent majority of their parenting years pulling their hair out over me) just for myself. I think supporting your kids (but not against their will or they will run, like me ) together with leaving a big chunk of responsibility on them works well. Let them drop out and then find their way back, if neccessary. It is essential to have a stimulating, inspiring home and role models, too.
On another note, though, coming from a country of very few uni degrees..If one wants to move (and it is easy now with EU, etc), a child left only with apprenticeship and a high school degree might face hardship applying for jobs in countries that function on academic degrees. Providing a chance for uni then would be opening many otherwise inaccessible doors. A big plus here is how multilingual children end up but that is not all that counts abroad. That "stupid piece of paper" is still important in very many countries.
I agree with a lot of what Prosperity Joy has written because it all boils down to one simple thing for me *choice*
I really think this line about not everyone needs to go to Uni is complete bollox.. it doesn't matter whether everyone needs to go to Uni or not, it's up to the individual to make that decision not the government, one teacher or anyone on this forum
It's interesting that they do not have enough of places in Gymnis and when too many have qualified for a place they up the score and so only the very top get in or again the teacher decides.. I really think some very talented people in Switzerland don't the chances they deserve.. unless they take the very expensive route of part work and part Uni for years on end.