What are Swiss children's public schools like in regard to bullying? It is a bit of a problem here in the US, not to mention the sex, drug and alchohol involvement by so many of today's youth.

Are they well run and do they have well established safety measures? For instance, here in the US, there are now schools that have hired police and security forces to provide safety for staff and students, in the event some lunatic attempts to execute anyone in his path. Is that sort of paranoia a part of Swiss public education?
David

Bullying is pretty much ubiquitous, though I would say the culture here is less interventionist and more along the lines of letting the kids sort it out themselves. Sex, drugs and alcohol, I'm not sure; my teenage girls never mention anything about it, but there have been isolated incidents of inappropriate images been shared via mobile phones etc, hence the point below.

There are no security guards or hired police in Swiss schools (though I have limited experience). They seem to be more paranoid about mobile phones in classrooms and changing rooms though.

From an American point of view, Swiss school security looks astoundingly lax. School playgrounds are not fenced, so there is nothing to stop anyone from walking onto the grounds - or to stop kids from wandering off them for that matter. If a child goes missing, his absence will be noted when attendance is taken in the next class.

Swiss teachers do not always supervise recess either: the expectation is that kids can look after themselves for the most part, and will know to come indoors and find an adult if they need one.

Kids are also expected to walk to and from school by themselves from about second grade. In general they're encouraged to become more independent, earlier, than most American kids. Population density also plays a role: except in the mountains, most children normally attend school within half a mile of their homes. So the need for school buses etc. isn't really felt.

Or when they start Kindergarten. Which can be four years old.

Yep, depends on the school district. I'm not aware that it's ever later than second grade though.

Used to be able to do that in the US. I walked to and from both my schools, elementary and junior high from kindergarten age right through to 16.

Crucifixes hanging in the classrooms keep students in line.

None around here I can assure you

It's really hard to compare. For instance, some US schools have clinics for birth control for young girls, baby sitters for high school student's who have babies, kids bringing guns to school, etc...Switzerland is on a whole other level. The incidence of teen pregnancy is nearly zero, teen unemployment is very low children are required to do an Internship, you won't find playgroups for children in schools to watch children's children. And the violence is no where near the level like in many US schools. Overall, children are taught responsibility at an earlier age. And if you are from the US you will panic when you see little 5 and 6 year olds walking alone or in a group on their way to and from school. The threats are no where near like in the US. You still have to be somewhat cautious anywhere you are, but not to the extreme and paranoia like in the US. Guns for protection at schools...FORGET IT ABOUT IT HERE!

Not in the protestant cantons.

Such a positive note. Thanks. I hope there are loads this is the norm. I don't have kids, but I do have grandkids who attend public schools here in the US where the environment could be much better. I grew up north of Pittsburgh, PA where fighting was commonplace, especially after school. It was a predictable rite of passage.