How can we reduce educational inequalities?
The results of the PISA 2025 study, published on 8 September 2026, confirm the strong performance of the Swiss education system. Swiss 15-year-olds achieve results above the OECD average in science (501 points compared with 482), mathematics (499 compared with 463) and reading (470 compared with 461). Switzerland therefore remains one of the highest-performing countries in the OECD, particularly in mathematics.
However, social background, the language spoken at home and migration background continue to influence educational outcomes. These findings raise an important question: how can we give every child equal opportunities to develop their potential from the earliest years of life?
Educational inequalities begin long before children start school
The first years of life are crucial for the development of language, cognitive abilities, social skills and self-confidence. Daycare centres and kindergartens therefore play an essential role in preventing educational inequalities.
According to the OECD, high-quality early childhood education and care can help reduce disparities, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yet in Switzerland, only 12% of children aged 0 to 2 from the lowest-income families attend a childcare facility, compared to 57% of children from the highest-income families.
Ensuring that all children have access to high-quality early childhood education and care is therefore a key factor in promoting equal opportunities.
Daycare centres and kindergartens: key players in inclusion
Early childhood education and care settings are much more than places where children are looked after. They provide an environment that fosters learning, social interaction and each child’s individual development.
In Geneva, around 600 children with special educational needs attend daycare centres, while a further 500 attend kindergartens. These figures highlight the importance of these settings in supporting children with diverse needs.
Through daily observation, educational teams can identify individual needs at an early stage, adapt their approach, support the development of language and independence, and work closely with families and specialised professionals.
This work helps address difficulties early on and prevents existing vulnerabilities from developing into long-term educational inequalities.
Investing in early childhood means investing in the future
Accessible and inclusive childcare settings staffed by well-trained professionals are essential to providing every child with the best possible conditions for development.
Supporting a child means more than simply preparing them for school. It also means nurturing their curiosity, strengthening their self-confidence and independence, and helping them find their place in the community.
At pop e poppa, we believe that every child deserves the best possible opportunities to grow, learn and thrive from the very beginning.
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