SNE data

SNE Data

	Data available
Number of compulsory school aged pupils (including those with SENs)	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total	Year of reference	Notes and Source
	770,267	*40,048	810,315	2004 / 2005	Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO). * Includes private sector subsidized by public funds
Number of compulsory school aged pupils who have SENs (in all educational settings)	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total	Year of reference	Notes and Source
	38,821	*11,584	50,405	2004 / 2005	Source: SFSO. * Includes private sector subsidized by public funds
Pupils with SENs in segregated settings	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total	Year of reference	Notes and Source
Pupils with SENs in segregated settings	38,821	11,584	50,405	2004 / 2005	Source: SFSO.
Pupils with SENs in inclusive settings	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total	Year of reference	Notes and Source
Pupils with SENs in inclusive settings	-	-	-	-	* Data regarding pupils in inclusive settings is not available.
Compulsory age phase	In Switzerland education is a matter of cantons. This means that there are 26 different educational systems with their own legislation. However, at least 9 years of school (usually from 7 to 16) are compulsory and in some cantons, 1 or 2 years of pre-school education (kindergarten) is compulsory as well.
Clarification of Public - Private sector education	Mainstream classes and special classes are predominantly public. With regards to special schools however, about 50% have private and 50% public bodies responsible for them. Nevertheless both forms are almost entirely financed by public money.
Legal Definition of SEN	Since there are 26 educational systems in Switzerland, there are also 26 definitions of SEN. One national definition exists for the national social insurance system. This corresponds roughly with the pupils in special schools. Although this is important for educational financing, only a part of special needs education is financed by this insurance. This funding system will change (probably in 2008) as a consequence of the “Re-organisation of Financial Equalization RFE” when financial responsibility is transferred to the cantons.