Switzerland is adapting its education system to keep pace with globalisation and growing partnership with other countries. The aim of the education provided is not only to ensure that pupils possess the necessary knowledge, but that they are able to adapt to new circumstances in a rapidly changing world.

This includes improving reading and writing in the mother tongue.

One of the most controversial changes proposed in recent years is the introduction of English in primary school. Traditionally, the first foreign language in school was always one of the other two national languages.

The move to promote primary school English came from Zurich's head of education in 2000. Some German speaking cantons followed Zurich's lead, which was fiercely resisted by French speakers.

Objections to the scheme are twofold:

1. The promotion of a non-Swiss language threatens national unity
2. Children in the second year of schooling are too young to start a new language.

An additional problem is the lack of primary school teachers qualified in English.

Supporters of the scheme answer the objections by saying:

1. that English is an international language which children need to know. They will in any case learn a second Swiss language later.
2. young children learn languages easily. English is taught in a fun way, and is regarded as "cool".

In any case, since the human brain is better suited to learn languages at an early age, it is intended that children should start two foreign languages at primary school.

Another change to the syllabus has been the introduction of IT, generally at Secondary I level. But some cantons are using IT as a tool at primary level.

The teaching of religious knowledge has provoked controversy. In some cantons it has been squeezed out completely as a compulsory subject for financial reasons; in others the debate has centred on whether only Christianity should be included on the syllabus, or whether it should be broadened to reflect the changing religious landscape.