KMHS statement on the current increases in tuition fees
Numerous cantons have increased tuition fees for foreign students, in some cases massively, as a result of the federal government's relief package. The reason why foreign students are being asked to pay so much is that, according to university financing regulations, foreign students are not co-financed by their cantons of origin - foreign students are therefore expected to pay significantly more themselves.
Tuition fees for domestic students are currently between CHF 720 and CHF 1000 per semester - foreign students are faced with fees of up to CHF 2550 per semester. Some cantons differentiate tuition fees between students from EU countries and third countries. However, cantons that treat all foreign students equally do not take into account the fact that if Switzerland's treaties with the EU are accepted, equal treatment of EU students and Swiss students will be a non-negotiable basis.
The best minds for Switzerland
The core task of universities is to foster and develop science and the arts through research, teaching and continuing education. They ensure an excellent, diverse education and research environment in Switzerland. Consequently, the most important task of the universities is to train intelligent, creative and innovative minds for our society and to make them available to the labor market. This internationally competitive university education is what society wants.
In order to ensure that the best and most creative young musical talents study at universities for the benefit of society, equality of starting opportunities is key. Selection in the admissions process should be based on quality and labor market opportunities. Tuition fees differentiated by origin, on the other hand, control selection according to financial strength and not quality - these tuition fees therefore fundamentally contradict the principle of equal starting opportunities.
Promoting young Swiss talent in an international environment
In addition to other examples, music education is strongly characterized by internationalization and thrives on mutual learning, comparison and music-making, which in turn is responsible for the high level of music and mediation culture in concerts, at music schools and in other areas of Swiss society. Incidentally, up-and-coming Swiss musicians also often take a Master's course abroad in order to be spurred on to top performance by this international exchange. It should also be mentioned that music students play a significant role in shaping cultural life in Switzerland.
The pre-colleges, which are now established at all universities and harmonized by the «Pre College Musik CH» quality label developed together with the music schools, also guarantee well-supervised access to universities for young Swiss talent. The label is linked to strict quality standards in order to offer young talent the best opportunities for entering university and a successful education.
Economization of education
Disguised as a "polluter pays" principle, the increase in fees is driving forward an economization of education, as we have seen in Anglo-Saxon countries for some time and with very negative consequences for equal opportunities in education. As a liberal welfare state with its own history, Switzerland has always focused on making carefully considered decisions in its carefully and continuously developed form. The Swiss Conference of Music Universities therefore views the current increases in tuition fees as a worrying sign for education as a whole. Equal starting opportunities are being called into question in a course of study that is geared towards the needs of society. The international competitiveness and connectivity that is important for a university of music will be jeopardized if we are no longer able to allow the best international students to study together with our young Swiss talent, which will have a direct impact on the quality of education for all students.
The cantons' approach jeopardizes the competition of ideas and quality that is so important in Switzerland through false incentives and misdirection - with the result that the attractiveness of universities and their courses would be determined primarily by the respective cantonal financial strength. Universities should compete with each other on programs, teaching staff and location, but not on massively different funding conditions. In view of the upcoming vote on the treaties with the EU in a few years' time and the carefully balanced and functioning framework conditions, these interventions contradict a prudent approach to the Swiss education system, which is particularly important in music, also in view of constitutional article 67a on music education.
Rico Gubler ...
is Vice President of the KMHS and Head of the Music Department at the HKB.
