Educational Reform in Ticino: A Context Marked by Increasing Challenges (cross-border guide)

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino's education reform faces funding and staff shortages.
• 150 specialized teachers missing in math and sciences.
• Reform phased until 2028-2029 to adapt gradually.
• Associations call for better resources and planning.

Key facts

• New Ordinance: Issued on June 28, 2023.
• Funding Allocated: 15 million Swiss francs for 2023-2024.
• Teacher Shortage: 150 specialized teachers missing.
• Reform Deadline: Last old-model classes graduate by 2028-2029.
• Timetable Revision: Deadline for sharing with teachers by end of 2023.
• Mendrisio Investment: 5 million Swiss francs for refurbishment and staff.
• Total Cost Estimate: 20 million francs for full implementation.
• Teacher Increase: 15% more specialized staff needed.

Educational reform in Ticino: A context marked by increasing difficulties

Upper secondary education in Ticino is undergoing a profound transformation, characterized by operational and financial challenges that threaten to hinder the full implementation of recent reforms. The new Ordinance on Maturity, issued on June 28, 2023, and the 2024 Framework Study Plan represent a paradigm shift in the education system, aiming to adapt to the needs of a rapidly evolving society. However, current resources prove insufficient to support this transition, creating tensions among stakeholders.

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Operational details

Normative measures issued by the Swiss Federal Council and the Ticino Department of Education (DFE) pose significant new challenges for high schools and commercial schools in Canton Ticino. The revision of the Framework Study Plan, approved in 2022 with deadlines between 2023 and 2029, introduces stricter criteria for timetable organization, curriculum offerings, and student assessment methods. The first major deadline concerns the revision of timetable grids, which must be shared with teachers by the end of 2023. This process requires a detailed analysis of available time, human resources, and specific student needs, paying particular attention to the variables of each institution, such as Lugano or Bellinzona high schools. Teacher associations, like the Ticino Teachers Association and the Teachers' Union, emphasize the importance of avoiding last-minute solutions, advocating for participatory dialogue and careful planning.

“The actual adequacy of the new timetable grids will depend on the quality of involvement of all stakeholders,” says the spokesperson of the Ticino Teachers Association.

The timeline envisions the new model being implemented starting from the first year of the new classes in 2024, with a gradual rollout until 2029. A concrete example of this challenge involves Mendrisio schools, which plan to invest around 5 million Swiss francs to refurbish spaces and hire specialized staff. An essential aspect also concerns communication with families and students, ensuring they are prepared for the changes without surprises, thus avoiding misunderstandings and resistance.

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Key points

Educational reform in Ticino: A context marked by increasing difficulties

To successfully meet the challenges of educational reform in Ticino, schools, authorities, and involved parties must implement concrete and well-planned measures. Adequate resources are essential: this means significant investments, such as increasing teaching staff, ongoing training, and reducing content load to facilitate more effective learning. Currently, the Canton of Ticino has allocated around 120 million Swiss francs for the reform plan, but the distribution of these funds requires careful management; for example, Lugano municipality plans to add 50 specialized teaching positions by 2025. The timeline suggests delaying the start of the last classes under the old model to 2028 or, preferably, 2029, to enable smoother and more participatory implementation involving school leaders, teachers, students, and families.

During this phase, school principals must actively involve all stakeholders, fostering a climate of collaboration and sharing. An operational checklist includes: (1) analyzing specific needs of each school, (2) planning timetable and organizational changes, (3) consulting stakeholders via public meetings and surveys, (4) clearly communicating deadlines and responsibilities, and (5) monitoring and adapting strategies with periodic reports. Representative associations, such as the Swiss Union of Teachers (USS), emphasize that change involves not only regulations but also the environment and working conditions. Therefore, it’s necessary to address logistical challenges, improve school infrastructure, and invest in school buildings, as in Bellinzona, where 30 million francs have been allocated to renovate five historic buildings.

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