Brace Yourselves: A Journey Through Time in Swiss Education
Ah, the Swiss education system—where discipline meets chocolate! You know, just when you thought modern classrooms looked chaotic, take a little trip back to the 19th century. The article we’re diving into today reveals the rather adorable fact that the largest class once numbered a whopping 171 school children! Yes, that’s right, 171! Makes you wonder if the teachers got bonuses for every child over a hundred. Let’s unpack the legacy of the Aargau School Law of 1835, inspired by the legendary Heinrich Zschokke. Spoiler: It’s a mix of nostalgia and a couple of raised eyebrows.
Educators and Their Clients: A Love-Hate Relationship
Back in the Helvetic Period, they were all about enlightenment—kind of like having a glass of Swiss wine and realizing the universe is far more interesting. But how did this enlightenment translate to education? With more twists and turns than a Swiss rollercoaster, folks! By 1805, the people of Aargau were shuffling their kids off to school like it was the latest trend. “Education for all!” they cried. Sure, only after exhausting the option of turning every little Johnny and Susie into miniature farmers.
Fast forward, and by 1831, schools were popping up like toppings on a good fondue. Without Zschokke championing public education, who knows? Aargau might still be running around with sticks and stones! Not exactly the ideal place to cultivate the next Einstein.
Welcome to Curriculum Central!
With the big 1835 breakthrough, we saw a serious course-correction. Standardized curriculum, teaching materials, and principles? Oh, they were all on board! The only registration plan they were missing was a good old “How to Open Your Own Chocolate Factory.” The law had a staggering 212 paragraphs! And today’s draft? A mere 184! It’s like a diet version of the original—a bit controversial, just like removing the traditional Swiss cheese portion. Who knew law-making was basically an overenthusiastic game of ‘Simon Says’?
Gender Separation—Not Just for Friends
Interestingly, back in the day, some schools divided classes by gender and religion. Imagine that, boys on one side, girls on the other. It was less ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ and more ‘Boys, Please Stay Away from the Girls!’ Thankfully, that element changed faster than a Swiss yodeler can yodel. What a relief! Now, kids get to sit next to those of different faiths, and hopefully, no one is throwing chalk.
The Teacher Dilemma: Past Meets Present
Let’s talk about teachers. Good old Augustin Keller founded the cantonal teachers’ college, playing the role of the angel on educators’ shoulders when they were short on cash. Today’s teacher shortages aren’t a new phenomenon; we’ve been dancing this tango for centuries. Just picture it: teachers working part-time as farmers or clerks, trading their chalk for crops just to get by. Does that ring a bell, dear audience? Yes, it does! What happens when you can’t pay your staff? You get a classroom echoing with silence… or a symphony of schoolyard shenanigans.
Out with the Old, In with the New Holidays
Now, here’s a fun nugget: holidays! Back then, kids got eight to twelve weeks off, but focused around farming seasons. Yes, children were quite literally being put to work. But now? With holidays spread throughout the year, thanks to our modern understanding that kids need both education *and* a break from the Netflix screen. Who knew learning could blend into life without resembling a medieval punishment?
The Lingering Threat: Bullying and Parental Negligence
As we roll into 2024, it seems the dark clouds of bullying now hover as heavily as they did in the 1835 curriculum. Thankfully, our society beyond the Alps has found creative ways to fight this age-old menace while making parental absence fee-for-all reign in the world of “uncompassionate consequences.” Talk about a progress report! Forget the punitive measures of yore; these days, parents play the villain while kids work out their social contracts.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Change
All kidding aside, there’s no doubt that the education landscape has undergone an overhaul since Zschokke’s day. From liberating educational mandates to establishing basic rights against bullying, the shift is something to applaud. Sure, at times it feels like we’ve gone from graduating students to running corporate boot camps, but one thing’s clear: without those humble beginnings in places like Aargau, we wouldn’t be sipping espresso while thriving in our jobs because our parents weren’t just using us for field labor. So, hats off to Zschokke and the schools of Aargau! They’ve sent us a long way, even if we still occasionally trip over our backpacks!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is schooling in a nutshell—now can we get back to that chocolate?
Now, that’s a trip through history you didn’t know you needed, enriched with cheeky commentary and a sprinkle of humor. Let’s just say, education in Aargau has a legacy that’s both impressive and slightly baffling.
When the largest class numbered 171 school children: the first Aargau school law from 1835 compared to today’s
Heinrich Zschokke, who lived in Aargau by choice, had a decisive influence on the first school law of 1835. How the popular educator continues to have an impact in the school system today.
Lots of children, strict teachers: a scene from a Swiss classroom in the 19th century, captured by Albert Anker.
Image: Alamy
The education system is a central state responsibility. Education politicians also look very closely. This is evident from the fact that the Grand Council’s Education and Sport Commission needed significantly more time than planned to discuss the new school legislation. Over 50 applications resulted, including review, minority and contingency applications. The proposal will come to the Grand Council on Tuesday, October 22nd.
But how has the school system developed in the past? We dare to compare today’s draft with the groundbreaking Aargau School Law of 1835, which was largely influenced by Heinrich Zschokke.
The goal of education for all children took time
In the Helvetic period from 1798 to 1803, the Enlightenment goal was to provide all children with education. But this only worked in the newly founded canton of Aargau. As early as 1805 he passed the first school law. From then on all children were required to attend school. The communities were given the task of setting up schools.
The school system was gradually established and expanded. According to Heinrich Staehelin’s description in the “History of the Canton of Aargau,” there were schools in almost all communities around 1831. The public educator Zschokke played a central role in the progress. Without his work, Aargau would not be the liberal canton it is today. For biographer Werner Ort, he is one of the most outstanding minds that Aargau has ever had.
It still has an impact today: the popular educator Heinrich Zschokke (1771–1848) on a lithograph from 1817.
Image: Aarau City Museum
School law: almost the same number of paragraphs
The big breakthrough came in 1835 in the liberal spirit that prevailed at the time, in which the school system was standardized. Children should be taught according to the same curriculum, with the same teaching materials and principles, regardless of their religious affiliation. The law made school attendance free – which still applies today.
The law of 1835 had an impressive 212 paragraphs. For comparison: today’s template contains a total of 184 paragraphs. Even back then, schools were divided into primary (parish) schools, district schools and cantonal schools. However, the former “special educational institutions for female youth” no longer exist today.
Zschokke’s most notable achievement was public education, according to Werner Ort. Just as Heinrich Pestalozzi made a name for himself as a reformer of elementary schools, Zschokke saw himself as a pioneer of adult education, which he wanted to renew and free from the influence of the church. Here too he was ahead of his time. Religious neutrality in schools and adult education is now a given.
Zschokke: Popular education is popular liberation
Back to the first half of the 19th century: in 1836 Zschokke gave a programmatic lecture entitled “People’s education is people’s liberation!” He said, among other things: “Education of the people is the elevation of a people from the state of immaturity to the state of maturity.” However, he was unable to fully achieve his goals. Many parents back then preferred to see their children in the fields or working at home rather than at school.
In 1835, every community with over 50 children was supposed to run its own school. A department was not allowed to have more than 100 students in the long run. In 1844, the largest class had 171 students – completely unthinkable today. At that time, male teachers were exempt from military service.
In 1832 there were 31,837 students in the Aargau community schools. In contrast, 84,200 elementary school students started the new school year this August. For 7,600 of them it was the first day of kindergarten (which did not yet exist in 1835).
Teacher shortages are not a new phenomenon
Aargau has had a cantonal teachers’ college since 1822. Augustin Keller became its director in 1835. He fundamentally shaped teacher training. At that time, wealthy communities were able to attract good teachers with higher salaries.
Nevertheless, many were only able to make ends meet with part-time jobs (e.g. as small farmers or municipal clerks). Because the pay was poor, many people changed careers. Result: teacher shortage. We know the latter again today.
Honored with a bust: Augustin Keller, director of the cantonal teachers’ college from 1835.
Image: Mario Heller
Holidays today spread over the school year
Back then there were eight to twelve weeks of vacation. Not much has changed, except that the holidays are now spread throughout the year. At that time they concentrated on the period of “more significant farm work” because many children had to help in the fields. In some places back then, classes were divided according to gender and denomination. That too is now history.
In 1835 the rules for elementary and district schools as well as for the cantonal high school and the cantonal trade school were laid down. This division essentially still applies today. However, the district schools that were created back then continue to come under pressure. They should also be an issue on October 22nd.
2024: At least one event in another language region
In the new law, a commission majority demands that high schools organize at least one school event (school trip, camp, project week or excursion) for their students in another language region. In 1835 this was not an issue due to limited resources and very limited travel options.
The law of 1835 also did not have any rules against bullying. The new elementary school law wants municipalities to accept pupils from other municipalities. This concerns individual cases, such as disciplinary transfers, for example after bullying.
Parents who repeatedly keep their school-age child away from class intentionally or negligently will no longer be fined by the municipalities, but by the criminal authorities. As early as 1835, there were penal provisions for parents for a child’s unexcused absence from school. In extreme cases, a “prison sentence of at least 24 hours could be imposed”. And if it turned out that school administrators and local councils were too lax, the respective district court could, in extreme cases, simply dismiss them.
