Role of the EDK
The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) recognizes certain foreign teaching and pedagogical-therapeutic qualifications for Switzerland as a whole. The EDK compares the foreign training with the corresponding Swiss qualification.
If the training is equivalent, the diploma is recognized. If substantial differences exist, the EDK may require compensatory measures before recognition can be granted. Teachers at vocational schools are not handled through this EDK route and are referred to the SBFI.
Main qualifications
The EDK examines foreign qualifications in the following main areas:
- Teaching diplomas for primary level, including kindergarten
- Teaching diplomas for lower-secondary level
- Teaching diplomas for baccalaureate schools
- Special needs education and early special education
- Speech therapy
- Psychomotor therapy
The teaching level, subjects, language requirements and the content of the foreign training can be decisive for the recognition assessment.
Official EDK resources
Foreign diplomas · EDK ↗Official recognition procedure, qualifications covered and compensatory measures.Diploma recognition · EDK ↗Overview of EDK diploma-recognition responsibilities.anerkennung.swiss ↗Check the competent recognition authority for the specific profession.SBFI recognition ↗Official SBFI route, including professions outside EDK competence such as vocational-school teaching.