NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
The 1972 School Act governs Lichtenstein’s education system from preschool to higher education. It defines a ‘private school’ as an institution supported by natural or legal persons under private law in which a majority of students are taught together according to a curriculum.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Liechtenstein, most schools at primary (5 years beginning at age 6), lower secondary (4 years, beginning at age 11) and upper secondary education are state schools (96%). The four-year lower secondary level is differentiated into three school types: upper secondary school, junior secondary school and grammar school. Allocation after the primary level is based on academic performance and is based on the following benchmarks set out in the ordinance: Oberschule (28%), Realschule (50%), and Gymnasium (22%). Compulsory schooling lasts nine years, it begins at the age of six and comprises the five-year primary level and the subsequent four-year lower secondary level. Upper secondary education is divided into general education and vocational education lasting two, three, or four years.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are established, managed and financed by non-state actors. Currently, there are two private schools in Liechtenstein, the Liechtenstein Waldorf School, which teaches based on Rudolf Steiner's pedagogy, and the ‘Formatio’, which offers education from primary school to secondary school to upper secondary school. Private schools must apply for state authorization and comply with the national learning objectives. In 2019, private school students accounted for 4% of national enrolment.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act, recognized private institutions may apply for state subsidies such as financial contributions through a services contract.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
According to the 1972 School Act, private lessons or domestic private school is allowed in Liechtenstein with approval from the Office of Education. Every parent or guardian of a compulsory education student must request authorization from the Office of Education for homeschooling and submit educational progress reports annually. Permission is granted for one year and may be extended at the time of approval. According to the 2000 Regulations on subsidies for private schools, a stipend for children attending domestic school may be granted upon request.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Office of Education oversees the education system from primary to higher education in Liechtenstein for state and non-state educational institutions. The Office of Social Services is responsible for day-care centres for children from three months up to four years and private kindergartens and for issuing the directives for the approval and supervision of all forms of childcare services.
Municipalities are responsible for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and primary education in their jurisdiction at a regional level.
Vision: The Education Strategy 2025+ continues to rely on cross-border cooperation with Switzerland and Austria to complement Lichtenstein’s educational system in vocational and tertiary education.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Early Childhood Care and Education in Liechtenstein is provided by day-care centres, family care institutions (from three months up to age four) and kindergartens (ages 4 and 5). For children with a foreign language background, attendance of one year of kindergarten is mandatory. Most day-care centres are run by the Day-care Centres Association in cooperation with institutions of the public sector and industry.
Registration and approval: According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act, to establish and operate a daycare or nursery in Liechtenstein, proprietors, individuals or legal persons must request authorization from the Office for Social Affairs. The Office for Social Affairs is responsible for issuing the directives for the approval and supervision of all the forms of childcare services. The 2009 Regulation about care and support outside the home of children and adolescents dictates the requirements that proprietors must submit for authorization. All applicants must include information on the institution's pedagogical views and structure, academic qualifications of its teaching staff, financial information, infrastructure requirements, management and organization information, including conditions for admission, age and number of children to be admitted. All institutions must comply with the infrastructure requirements, including fulfilling the sanitary and security conditions established by the regulations and the student-teacher ratio according to age.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act and the Regulation on the payment of contribution to private child and youth welfare institutions (2009) recognized private institutions may apply for state subsidies. In the case of day-care centres, all approved day-care centres receive state support through a per-capita subsidy for every child attending the day-care centre.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Day-care centres must organize their institutional pedagogical plan and submit it at the time of licensing application. In the case of kindergarten, all institutions must follow the National Curriculum.
Teaching profession: According to the 2009 Regulation about care and support outside the home of children and adolescents, all staff working in the centre must fulfil the training in childcare, pedagogy or psychology requirements.
Fee-setting: In day-care centres, the costs for childcare depend on the gross monthly income of the parents and the selected childcare units of the day-care centres. The childcare costs are divided into the three tariff groups "Infants," "Infants," and "Kindergarten/Schulkinder." There are also discounts for several children from the same family at the end of the respective tariff list.
Admission selection and processes: Besides including the admission criteria during the licensing application, no official guideline was found on admission to ECCE centres.
Policies for vulnerable groups: According to the Scholarship Law, parents or tutors may apply for state financial support in the case of unemployment or low income parents or tutors; the amount of the grant is based on the income and capital of the parents or guardians.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act, care and nursing facilities must grant access to the premises and submit the necessary information and documents to the supervising authority of the Office of Social Services.
Child assessment: Child assessment for both day-care centres and kindergartens are based on observation and developmental milestones.
Sanctions: According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act, when institutions cease to comply with the requirements for operations or present any deficiencies, a notification will be issued requiring the centre to address the issues. If the institution fails to remediate the shortcomings, the Officer for Social Service may withdraw the operating license.
Registration and approval: For a provider to establish and operate a private education facility in Liechtenstein, proprietors must request authorization from the State. All institutions must meet the requirements specified in the 1972 School Act, including ensuring that school management and teachers possess the same qualification as those required for public school. Schools must also maintain adequate insurance coverage and suitability of the material resources and facilities.
Licence: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): For a non-state educational institution to be approved, providers must comply with all the same sanitary and safety requirements as a public educational institution.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: Private schools may apply for state subsidies following the amended 2011 School Act. Assistance to private schools may consist of financial contributions to the running of the school, the salaries of the teachers, or per-pupil funding to the school.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All educational institutions must follow the National Curriculum.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: According to the 1972 School Act, private school teachers must possess the same academic and professional training as teachers working at public educational institutions.
Corporal punishment: According to the 2008 Children and Youth Act, caregivers cannot inflict any kind of violence.
Other safety measures and Covid-19: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: Students in Liechtenstein are entitled to educational grants as stipulated by the Scholarship Law. The state allocates grants in stipends (without repayment obligation) and interest-free loans (with repayment obligation). The amount of the grant follows the principles of subsidiarity (subject to income and capital of the parents or guardians).
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: According to the 1972 School Act, the school authority is responsible for the organization of the private school.
Reporting requirements: All schools must submit yearly information regarding school statistics, educational research, personal data, and students and teachers' information to the State's competent authority.
School inspection: Staff of the Office of Education are responsible for the inspection and monitoring of all educational institutions in Liechtenstein.
Student assessment: Every student in Liechtenstein must sit for a national assessment for secondary education completion, the Matura Examination. Private schools with public rights are allowed to implement the Matura exam with state oversight.
Diplomas and degrees: According to the 1972 School Act, private schools with public rights are entitled to issue certificates with the same legal effect as certificates of public schools.
Sanctions: According to the 1972 School Act, when a private educational institution ceases to fulfil the requirements for its authorizations the state may withdrawal the authorization permit.
Liechtenstein has three universities, the University of Liechtenstein, the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein and the International Academy for Philosophy in the Principality of Liechtenstein. In the 2019/20 academic year 81.6% (678 students) studied at the University of Liechtenstein, 17.2% (143 students) at the private university in the Principality of Liechtenstein and 1.2% (ten students) at the International Academy of Philosophy. The universities in Liechtenstein specialize in a few selected courses of study and continuing education programs. However, a state treaty with Austria and membership in Switzerland's intercantonal agreements ensure holders of a Liechtenstein Gymnasium or Berufs matura certificate equal access to the respective universities of both neighbouring countries.
Registration and approval: According to the 2005 Law on Higher Education, approval and licensing from the government are required to establish and operate a university. Proprietors must be organized as institutions or foundations of public law or as legal persons under private law to apply for authorization. The 2005 Law on Higher Education dictates that all applications must include all the required documentation, including information on the establishment and management of the university, financial suitability, curricula and degrees to be provided, teaching staff information, and infrastructure requirements. For the establishment of graduate schools proprietors must request an additional permit from the state.
Licence: According to the 2005 Law on Higher Education there are three types of permits; provisional permits, definitive permits, and additional permits. A provisional permit will be issued for a maximum of five years, after which universities must implement an external evaluation and external auditing by an auditor. Upon fulfilling the requirements, a definite approval is granted for an unlimited period and the university acquires state recognition.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the 2005 Law on Higher Education, state contributions might be granted upon a performance agreement or a specific law that stipulates for state contributions.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All universities must comply with the National Framework of Qualification for higher education for the organization of the study programmes.
Teaching profession: According to the 2005 Law on Higher Education, all teaching staff at universities must comply with the academic qualifications and requirements in order to work at the university.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: Universities are free to set their admission policies and requirements; however, they must comply with the minimum academic requirements for admission including the Matura certificate and professional or educational requirements as established in the 2011 Law on Higher Education.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: Universities must submit and publish a yearly report stating the number of students, teaching staff, quality management and cooperation with other universities.
Inspection: It is the government’s responsibility and the education authority to assist the government to supervise the universities.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: Universities with definite approval and state recognition may issue state-recognized degrees.
Sanctions: According to the 2005 Law on Higher Education, the state can withdraw the operating permit when an institution fails to comply with the requirements for its authorization.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
According to the 2012 Ordinance on private lessons authorizations are given for a period of one year, from which it may be extended if the lessons is assessed positively. According to the 1972 School Act, private tuition as one-to-one tuition to fulfil compulsory schooling requires the approval of the school council. He is subject to the obligation of annual proof of the progress of the lessons.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
According to the 2012 Ordinance on private lessons, teachers must possess the appropriate professional qualifications and the lessons must be based on the Liechtenstein curriculum. According to the 1972 School Act, private lessons may only be given by teachers who have been checked or approved by the school council.
