Switzerland Secondary I Civic Education Syllabus

Civic education in Switzerland's Secondary I (years 7-9) is integrated into the subject area "Räume, Zeiten, Gesellschaften" (RZG), which translates to "Spaces, Times, Societies." RZG encompasses geography, history, and civics, aiming to develop students' understanding of spatial, historical, societal, and political topics. The curriculum framework for RZG, and therefore civic education, is defined by Lehrplan 21. Lehrplan 21 is a harmonized curriculum framework for compulsory education across the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland.

While civic education is not a standalone subject, it is interwoven into the RZG curriculum. The specific learning objectives and content related to civic education within RZG are defined at the cantonal level, allowing for some regional variation. However, the overall framework provided by Lehrplan 21 ensures a common foundation for civic education across the German-speaking cantons. The curriculum emphasizes the development of competencies related to active citizenship, democratic participation, and understanding of societal and political processes.