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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about “children”
Thursday, 11 March, 2010
What steps can teenagers educated in Switzerland—and their parents—take to help ensure they’re accepted into universities in North America or the UK? WRS’s Susan Flory and Catherine Nelson-Pollard bring on some expert help:
Generous new paternity leave policy gives birth to controversy
Wednesday, 10 March, 2010
The city of Lausanne is offering its employees the longest paternity leave in the country: 20 days off for new fathers. For left-wing politicians, it’s an important step towards a better life-work balance. For opponents on the right, it’s irresponsible and unfair, especially as workers in the private sector only get two to three days off on average. Lucas Chambers has the story:
Wednesday, 10 March, 2010
The city of Lausanne is offering its employees the longest paternity leave in the country: 20 days off for new fathers. For left-wing politicians, it’s an important step towards a better life-work balance. For opponents on the right, it’s irresponsible and unfair, especially as workers in the private sector only get two to three days off on average. Lucas Chambers has the story:
Putting dunce cap on early selection in Swiss schools
Friday, 29 January, 2010
A recent OECD report making recommendations on education has pointed out that Switzerland is one of the countries where socioeconomic background has the greatest impact in explaining educational outcomes. The OECD puts the blame on early selection—that is, in Switzerland, students are routed onto two or three tracks between 11 and 13 years of age and only the highest tracks can lead them to university. WRS’s Mark Butcher asks University of Geneva economist Jean-Marc Falter about the impact of this practice:
Friday, 29 January, 2010
A recent OECD report making recommendations on education has pointed out that Switzerland is one of the countries where socioeconomic background has the greatest impact in explaining educational outcomes. The OECD puts the blame on early selection—that is, in Switzerland, students are routed onto two or three tracks between 11 and 13 years of age and only the highest tracks can lead them to university. WRS’s Mark Butcher asks University of Geneva economist Jean-Marc Falter about the impact of this practice:
Tinkering with the school system? One economist approves...
Friday, 15 January, 2010
The canton of Zug has proposed an educational experiment: to run an entire school from kindergarten to the end of mandatory schooling according to alternative pedagogical methods. WRS’s Mark Butcher speaks to education economist Jean-Marc Falter from the University of Geneva, who says that regardless of whether that approach will be better, it is a good sign that the government is experimenting with the educational system:
Friday, 15 January, 2010
The canton of Zug has proposed an educational experiment: to run an entire school from kindergarten to the end of mandatory schooling according to alternative pedagogical methods. WRS’s Mark Butcher speaks to education economist Jean-Marc Falter from the University of Geneva, who says that regardless of whether that approach will be better, it is a good sign that the government is experimenting with the educational system:
Let's talk about sex: Swiss kids under-educated about birds and bees
Friday, 16 October, 2009
Are the Swiss comfortable talking about sex? If you want children to grow up with a healthy view of sexuality, parents, schools and society all have a role to play. But is this happening? The Federal Commission for Youth Questions has released its latest report, The Sexuality of Youth Over Time. It seems that, despite the easy access young people have to sexual imagery these days, they still demonstrate a high level of ignorance about the facts of the birds and bees. WRS’s Conor Lennon spoke to the commission’s Rahel Zurfluh, and started by asking if she was satisfied at the level of sex education in this country:
Friday, 16 October, 2009
Are the Swiss comfortable talking about sex? If you want children to grow up with a healthy view of sexuality, parents, schools and society all have a role to play. But is this happening? The Federal Commission for Youth Questions has released its latest report, The Sexuality of Youth Over Time. It seems that, despite the easy access young people have to sexual imagery these days, they still demonstrate a high level of ignorance about the facts of the birds and bees. WRS’s Conor Lennon spoke to the commission’s Rahel Zurfluh, and started by asking if she was satisfied at the level of sex education in this country:
In-car safety seats to be mandatory for under-12s
Thursday, 15 October, 2009
Following the announcement that car safety seats are to be mandatory for children up to the age of 12, Pete Forster speaks to Daniel Menna from the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention about the reasons behind such a significant rise from the current maximum age of 7.
Thursday, 15 October, 2009
Following the announcement that car safety seats are to be mandatory for children up to the age of 12, Pete Forster speaks to Daniel Menna from the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention about the reasons behind such a significant rise from the current maximum age of 7.
Schools work to get kids back on the move
Tuesday, 18 August, 2009
Kids aren’t moving enough and it’s hurting their health. That’s according to the Federal Office for Sport, which says a lack of exercise for children now can lead to health problems later in life. The government’s School on the Move programme is designed to remedy the situation. More and more schools are signing on to the programme and one of the latest is in Wilderswil in canton Bern. There, 300 kids of all ages took part in a day of activities. Vincent Landon has more:
Tuesday, 18 August, 2009
Kids aren’t moving enough and it’s hurting their health. That’s according to the Federal Office for Sport, which says a lack of exercise for children now can lead to health problems later in life. The government’s School on the Move programme is designed to remedy the situation. More and more schools are signing on to the programme and one of the latest is in Wilderswil in canton Bern. There, 300 kids of all ages took part in a day of activities. Vincent Landon has more:
Battle over movie ratings likely to have a sequel
Thursday, 13 August, 2009
How old should you be to watch the latest Harry Potter film? The answer varies from one canton to another, and that’s driving a lot of people up the wall. Leading the charge for change is Procinema, a group representing cinema owners and film distributors in Switzerland. It would like ratings to be set by the film industry—which would be cheaper, easier and coherent across the board. But many cantons cringe at this affront to their sovereignty, saying there is too much at stake to let others decide what’s good for their kids. Lucas Chambers has the story:
Thursday, 13 August, 2009
How old should you be to watch the latest Harry Potter film? The answer varies from one canton to another, and that’s driving a lot of people up the wall. Leading the charge for change is Procinema, a group representing cinema owners and film distributors in Switzerland. It would like ratings to be set by the film industry—which would be cheaper, easier and coherent across the board. But many cantons cringe at this affront to their sovereignty, saying there is too much at stake to let others decide what’s good for their kids. Lucas Chambers has the story:
New maternity leave debate opens old wounds
Friday, 10 July, 2009
Maternity leave has been making headlines this week, with much of the debate triggered by a recent article in the weekly Weltwoche magazine. The article focuses on Jasmin Staiblin, the Chief Executive Officer of the engineering firm ABB, who’s expecting her first child. The piece suggests that, as CEO of a huge company, during unusually tough economic times, she should not be taking the full maternity leave she’s entitled to. With statutory paid maternity leave only introduced in Switzerland in 2004—after no fewer than five national votes—the issue remains a sensitive one. And as Catherine Allen reports, Ms Staiblin’s rank and responsibility have added a new dimension to the debate.
Friday, 10 July, 2009
Maternity leave has been making headlines this week, with much of the debate triggered by a recent article in the weekly Weltwoche magazine. The article focuses on Jasmin Staiblin, the Chief Executive Officer of the engineering firm ABB, who’s expecting her first child. The piece suggests that, as CEO of a huge company, during unusually tough economic times, she should not be taking the full maternity leave she’s entitled to. With statutory paid maternity leave only introduced in Switzerland in 2004—after no fewer than five national votes—the issue remains a sensitive one. And as Catherine Allen reports, Ms Staiblin’s rank and responsibility have added a new dimension to the debate.
Tuesday, 26 May, 2009
Here’s a scary statistic: more young children in Switzerland die from accidents than disease. Of course, that could also be a testament to good health care in Switzerland, but the number of accidents in the home could certainly be reduced. To which end, Lausanne’s cantonal hospital is holding a conference for parents, to raise awareness of the dangers. Conor Lennon spoke to Professor Olivier Reinberg - a paediatric surgeon at the hospital - and began by asking whether it’s still the case that most accidents happen at home.
Summer fun for the whole family
Friday, 15 May, 2009
A canton-by-canton guide to fun activities for families in Switzerland
Friday, 15 May, 2009
A canton-by-canton guide to fun activities for families in Switzerland
Five must-know parenting tips
Friday, 15 May, 2009
Child and adolescent psychotherapist Rachel Melville-Thomas has documented for us some of the key parenting points on themes that recur regularly in her practice and on the show:
Friday, 15 May, 2009
Child and adolescent psychotherapist Rachel Melville-Thomas has documented for us some of the key parenting points on themes that recur regularly in her practice and on the show:
Tuesday, 12 May, 2009
One in 10 births worldwide is to an adolescent mother, with particularly high numbers in the U.S. Dr. Michele Wright talks to Dr. Munir Islam, director of the ’Making pregnancy safer’ unit at the World Health Organisation.
Monday, 20 April, 2009
Every year the canton of Zurich organises sports camps for children. Kids can learn climbing, windsurfiing or play football or tennis. This year, for the first time, the authorities have designed a camp specifically for overweight children. The move reflects growing concern at the number of young people who are overweight. The camp began on the weekend with a Family Day at the sports centre in Filzbach in canton Glarus. On Sunday it transferred to Davos. Our reporter, Vincent Landon, attended the Family Day, and has this report:
Monday, 30 March, 2009
Michele Mischler is joined by Patrick Pulh, a spokesman for the Geneva Cantonal Police force for a discussion of child safety in Switzerland.
