Computer Science is now a basic subject in Swiss cantonal schools
With the full revision of the Matura Recognition Ordinance, which was passed by the Federal Council on 28 June 2023, Computer Science will finally become a basic subject at Swiss high schools.
The revised legal basis includes various elements to enhance the quality of the provided education. These strengthen the basic competencies required in Language and Mathematics, as well as upgrade Computer Science, and Economics and Law, to basic subjects. In addition, the list of core and supplementary subjects will be expanded, so that schools can offer Computer Science as a core subject in the future.
Together with other STEM subjects – namely Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics – Computer Science will thus count towards the Matura from 1 August 2024. STEM subjects must account for at least 27 percent of the total teaching time.
"The upgrading of Computer Science to basic subject is a request that has been discussed for decades and has also been advanced by representatives of ETH Zurich, in particular through the tireless efforts of Prof. em Walter Gander and Prof. Juraj Hromkovič," explains Professor Dennis Komm, Chair of Algorithms and Didactics at ETH Zurich.
“The upgrading of Computer Science to basic subject is a request for decades. It was advanced by representatives of ETH Zurich, in particular through the tireless efforts of Prof. em Walter Gander and Prof. Juraj Hromkovič.”Dennis Komm, Professor of Algorithms and Didactics at the Department of Computer Science of ETH Zurich
Prof. Walter Gander, Emeritus of the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich, and Prof. Urs Hochstrasser, former Director of the Federal Office of Education and Research, take a historical look back at the beginnings in their article "Computer Science in the Gymnasium" and show the long road that ultimately led to the successful establishment of computer science as a basic subject in high schools.
The article can be found here: Download Computer Science in the Gymnasium (in German) (PDF, 136 KB)
More Information
- external page Federal Council media release dated 6.28.2023 (in German, French and Italian)
- Centre for Computer Science Education (ABZ)
- Didactics Diploma for High Schools in Computer Science
- Professor Dennis Komm
- Professor Juraj Hromkovič
- Professor Emeritus Walter Gander
- external page Professor Emeritus Urs Hochstrasser