Cantonal French Language School in Bern under scrutiny

On 20 January the Federal Council launched a consultation on the total revision of the Swiss law on the ad hoc subsidy to the ECLF Institute

On January 20, 2021, the Federal Council launched a public consultation on the total revision of the law concerning the subsidy for the Berne Cantonal French Language School (ECLF). With the revision, the government intends to confirm the attractiveness of the Swiss Confederation as a multilingual employer.

The educational institute offers teaching in French according to the Plan d’Études Romand up to secondary level. The ECLF is an absolute exception within the Swiss education system: it is the only compulsory school financed by the Canton of Bern and by the Confederation itself.

Since 1960, the central government has supported the ECLF through a subsidy paid to the canton, which is responsible for the school. Thanks to the support of the Confederation, which amounted to CHF 1.3 million in 2020, employees of the Federal Administration and of organizations that are of interest to the entire country have been able to school their children in French in Bern.

A 1981 rule outdated by the Constitution

The current law, which dates back to 1981, must undergo a complete overhaul to conform to current grant provisions and procedures. Moreover, it is based on a constitutional article that has since been repealed.

Therefore, a total amendment is necessary to close these loopholes. The Federal Council will continue to pay the same amount, which corresponds to 25% of the operating costs.

The bill regulates the purpose, calculation methods and procedure for the granting of financial aid to the Canton in favour of the École Cantonale de Langue Française à Berne.

With these amendments, the Federal Council intends to emphasize the multilingual status of Switzerland as an employer and to promote adequate representation of non-German-speaking employees in organizations that fall within the scope of the Confederation’s public service.

The consultation will close on 23 April 2021.