The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education is responsible for the national coordination of education and cultural policy. It aims to ensure high quality, equity, permeability and mobility within the Swiss education system.

In Switzerland, the main responsibility for education and culture lies with the cantons. They coordinate their work at the national level. The 26 cantonal ministers of education together form a political body to carry out this work: the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK). The Principality of Liechtenstein is also involved in the work of the EDK.

The EDK’s activities are based on the articles on education in the Federal Constitution and on intercantonal law in matters of education. The EDK has a subsidiary function, fulfilling tasks that cannot be performed by the regions or cantons. It collaborates with the Confederation in the area of education. It represents Switzerland in international organisations where their activities touch on matters of education or culture that fall within the responsibility of the cantons.

Image caption:

Political bodies

The EDK's highest decision-making body is the plenary assembly, in which the heads of the 26 cantonal education departments (cantonal ministers of education) are represented. Read more

Image caption:

Legal basis

The intercantonal Agreement on Education Coordination (dating from 1970) forms the legal basis for the collaboration between the cantons in the area of education. In addition to this agreement, the work of the EDK is also based on other intercantonal agreements, the so called Concordats, available in German  French

Image caption:

Programme of activities

This provides an overview of the current projects and implementation measures. Read more

Image caption:

Latest news

The latest media releases, newsletters, publications and more can be found in the “Latest news” sections of the EDK’s German and French language websites.