Special Education in Switzerland : Rising Costs Push Families Towards Crowdfunding

Switzerland is known worldwide for its strong education system. But behind the image of academic excellence, many families face a hidden reality: if a child has special needs, the Swiss public school system often cannot provide the right environment. For these children, adapted private schools are sometimes the only option — but their high cost leaves families desperate.

With tuition fees of CHF 2,000 per month or more, parents are increasingly turning to crowdfunding in Switzerland to finance their child’s education. Two recent campaigns on HappyPot.ch, a Swiss money pot and crowdfunding platform, show the urgency of this issue.

The Challenge of Special Education in Switzerland

Public Schools vs. Private Special Needs Schools

Swiss public schools aim to be inclusive, but they cannot always handle complex cases such as autism spectrum disorders, neurological conditions, or genetic disabilities. Children may face:

• overcrowded classrooms
• noisy environments unsuitable for concentration
• lack of personalized support or therapies
• emotional overload and breakdowns

In these cases, private special education schools offer smaller classes, calmer environments, and integrated therapies. But the financial burden is heavy.

• Average cost of private special needs schools in Switzerland: CHF 2,000 – CHF 3,000 per month
• Additional costs: transportation, therapy sessions, materials, laptops for hybrid learning

For single parents or families without strong financial support, these sums are unmanageable.

Case Study 1: A Boy With a Genetic Tremor

In August 2025, a mother launched the campaign Education for my son
on HappyPot.ch.

Her teenage son suffers from a genetic tremor that makes writing extremely difficult, especially in noisy classrooms. For three years, the municipality of Horgen covered the costs of an adapted school. But when the family moved to another canton, this financial aid ended abruptly.

Without support, the boy risks being left behind. His mother, who also lost her husband at the age of 45, is now fighting alone to give him an equal chance.

• Goal of the campaign: CHF 120,000
• Purpose: Cover tuition fees of a specialized school for several years

This story shows how fragile support can be. A single move to another canton can cut off funding, leaving a family with impossible financial pressure.

Case Study 2: An 8-Year-Old Boy Needing a Special School in Sargans

Just a few weeks later, another campaign appeared: Sonderschule für unseren 8-jährigen Sohn.

This boy, only eight years old, may be on the autism spectrum. In his public school, he suffers from emotional overload episodes lasting 30 to 60 minutes: trembling, shortness of breath, and even words of despair like “Life is shit” or “I don’t want to live anymore.”

His parents found a solution at Aut Arc, a specialized school in Sargans that offers integrated therapies such as art and body-based learning. The environment fits his needs perfectly, but the cost is enormous.

• Monthly school cost: CHF 2,000
• Remaining cost for the family (after partial public funding): CHF 1,000 per month
• Additional expenses: CHF 300/month train transport + laptop for online classes

For this family, crowdfunding is not a choice but a necessity. Without external support, they cannot secure a safe and adapted education for their son.

Why Swiss Families Turn to Crowdfunding

The two stories highlight a systemic problem in Switzerland:

• Special education support varies by canton, creating inequalities
• Families moving to another area may lose funding
• Costs of private schools are rising faster than what most households can pay
• Emotional and medical needs of children require urgent solutions

Platforms like HappyPot.ch allow families to share their story and mobilize communities. Unlike international crowdfunding websites, HappyPot is Swiss-based, with Swiss payment methods (including TWINT and local IBAN), multilingual support (FR, DE, IT, EN), and full compliance with Swiss regulations.

For donors, this creates trust: funds go directly to Swiss families in need. For parents, it offers a lifeline when institutional support is missing.

The Cost of Special Education in Switzerland

Here are some real numbers drawn from recent HappyPot.ch campaigns:

• CHF 120,000 total for a teenager’s adapted school after losing municipal support : click on Education for my son
• CHF 2,000 per month for an 8-year-old boy’s specialized school in Sargans, plus CHF 300 for transport click on Sonderschule für unseren 8-jährigen Sohn

These figures show the financial reality of special education in Switzerland. For many families, even with partial support, the gap is too wide.

The Emotional Toll on Families

Beyond the financial numbers, the human impact is immense.

• Parents describe constant stress, balancing work, grief, and care for their child.
• Children face frustration, exclusion, and emotional breakdowns in unsuitable classrooms.
• Families must choose between basic living costs and giving their child the education he deserves.

Crowdfunding provides not only money but also emotional solidarity. Each donation is a message: “You are not alone.”

What Needs to Change

Experts and parents agree that Switzerland must:

• Provide consistent nationwide funding for special education, regardless of canton
• Ensure that children with neurological or genetic conditions are not penalized by administrative gaps
• Recognize education as a right, not a privilege

Until then, crowdfunding platforms like HappyPot will remain essential.

How You Can Help

You can make a difference today by supporting these families:

• Education for my son – CHF 120,000 goal
• Sonderschule für unseren 8-jährigen Sohn – CHF 2,000 monthly cost

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings these children closer to an education that respects their potential and dignity.

Conclusion

Switzerland prides itself on its education system. But these two crowdfunding campaigns show a different side: when a child has special needs, education can suddenly become a financial privilege instead of a universal right.

By donating, sharing, or simply raising awareness, we can support families in crisis and push for a more inclusive, fairer future. Platforms like HappyPot.ch prove that community solidarity can fill the gaps where institutions fall short.

Education should never depend on a bank account. Together, we can ensure that every child in Switzerland, regardless of health or condition, has access to the education they deserve.