In the framework of cooperation in the field of high schools, the Confederation and the cantons party to the high schools agreement shall pursue and implement the objectives set out in Art. 3 LEHE.

¹ The Confederation and the cantons party to the concordat on the high schools hereby establish the joint bodies of the Swiss domain of the high schools referred to in Art. 7 LEHE.

² They shall delegate to these bodies the powers delegated by this Convention to the LEHE (Art. 6, para. 3, LEHE) or may delegate them under s. 6, para. 4, let. B, LEHE, namely:

A.

At the Swiss High School Conference in plenary:

1.

The skills referred to in s. 9, para. 3, 11, para. 2, let. A to c, 43, 44, para. 4, 46, para. 2, and 51, para. 5, let. A, and 8 LEHE,

2.

In addition to jurisdiction:

-

Issue an opinion on the establishment of high schools or other institutions in the field of the high schools of the Confederation and the cantons

-

To elect the Vice-Presidents of the Swiss High School Conference

-

Adopt the budget and approve the annual accounts of the Swiss High School Conference;

B.

At the Swiss High School Conference in the High Schools Council:

1.

The skills referred to in s. 4, para. 4, 8, para. 1, 10, para. 4, 12, para. 3, let. At h, 19, al. 2, 21, para. 2, 5 and 8, 23, para. 2, 24, para. 2 and 3, 25, para. 2, 30, para. 2, 35, para. 2, 39, 40, para. 1, 53, para. 3, 57, para. 1, 61, para. 1, 66, para. 3, and 69, para. 2, LEHE,

2.

In addition to jurisdiction:

-

Adopt the budget and approve the annual accounts of the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools, the Swiss Accreditation Council and the Swiss Accreditation Agency

-

To issue an opinion within the meaning of the law of 14 December 2012 on the encouragement of research and innovation ¹ And the Medical Professions Act of 23 June 2006 ²

-

Conduct other elections in various bodies to the extent that they are not already provided for in the EHE;

C.

At the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools:

1.

The skills referred to in s. 19, para. 2 and 3, 37, para. 2, 38, 43 and 66, para. 3, LEHE,

2.

Competence to support cooperation and coordination between high schools,

3.

The competence to represent the high schools in the Swiss High School Conference;

D.

To the Swiss Council on Accreditation:

1.

The skills referred to in s. 12, para. 3, let. A, ch. 2, 21, para. 3 and 5 to 8, 33 and 35, para. 2, LEHE,

2.

The competence to elect the Director of the Swiss Accreditation Agency and his deputy.

¹ The Swiss High School Conference is the employer of the staff of the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools, the Swiss Accreditation Council and the Swiss Accreditation Agency.

² It lays down a staff regulation.

³ It may, in the Rules of Procedure, provide for the delegation of decisions of the employer to the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools and the Swiss Council on Accreditation and entrust them with the task of settling the detailed provisions arising from the Staff regulations.

⁴ It has a computerized personnel management system.

⁵ It provides staff against the economic consequences of old age, disability and death with the Federal Pension Fund (PUBLICA) in the Provident Fund of affiliated organizations.

⁶ It takes over as the competent employer the beneficiaries of annuities which, in the Provident Fund of the Affiliates, were previously attached to the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss Universities, to the Conference of Rectors High schools, the Conférence des recteurs et rectrices des hautes écoles pédagogiques, the Swiss University Conference or the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Body of the Swiss High Schools.

¹ The Confederation works with the cantons in the management of the affairs of the Swiss High School Conference.

² The competent federal service collaborates with the relevant heads of service of the cantons represented at the Swiss Council of High Schools and with a representation of the General Secretariat of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education To prepare the affairs of the High School Board.

Pursuant to Art. 16, para. 3, and 17, para. 3, LEHE, the procedure for the decision of the Plenary Conference and the High School Board for the elections, the procedural decisions and the opinions shall be as follows:

A.

In plenary, elections, procedural decisions and opinions shall be adopted by a simple majority of the members present;

B.

In the High School Board, procedural decisions and opinions shall be adopted by a simple majority of the members present;

C.

Decisions of the Plenary or the High School Board may exceptionally be made by correspondence:

1.

In case of emergency, and

2.

Provided that no member requests the debate in session.

¹ The Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools is involved in the preparation of the affairs of the Swiss High School Conference.

² It has the right to make proposals to the Swiss High School Conference.

³ It ensures the implementation of decisions in high schools.

⁴ It consults with national organizations of high schools, including students, and invites them to participate in committees and working groups.

⁵ It invites the meetings on questions of common interest, with a consultative vote, to the Presidents:

A.

The National Research Council;

B.

The Commission on Technology and Innovation;

C.

The Swiss Science and Innovation Council.

⁶ It manages an information centre on the recognition of equivalence between Swiss and foreign diplomas, subject to the competence of the Federal Office responsible for the field of high schools.

¹ The Swiss Agency for Accreditation and Quality Assurance (Swiss Agency for Accreditation) shall assume the tasks assigned to it by s. 21, para. 8, 32, 33 and 35, para. 1, HE.

² It may carry out accreditation and quality assurance mandates on behalf of third parties to the extent of its capacity.

¹ The Confederation and the cantons are responsible, each for half, according to the terms laid down in the agreement on the high schools, the costs:

A.

The Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools, to the extent that they are caused by the fulfilment of the tasks foreseen by the LEHE;

B.

The Swiss Accreditation Council and the Swiss Accreditation Agency, to the extent that they are caused by the fulfilment of the tasks laid down by the EHE and are not covered by the emoluments referred to in Art. 35, para. 1, HE.

² The plenary session rules the details, including the costs to be taken into account.

³ The Federal Audit Office submits the invoices of the joint bodies and the Swiss Agency for Accreditation to a limited audit. As part of its revisions, it examines the actual distribution of costs between the Confederation and the cantons.

¹ The Confederation shall, in good time and in detail, inform the High School Council and the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools of any project which may lead to the conclusion of an international agreement within the meaning of Art. 66 LEHE.

² It consults with the High School Board and the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools before any negotiations. This consultation complements the consultation procedure on international treaties.

³ The Confederation associates representatives of the Council of the High Schools and the Conference of Rectors of the Swiss High Schools in the preparation of the negotiating mandates and as a general rule for the negotiations themselves.

¹ This Convention shall be valid as soon as it has been signed by the Confederation and the Conference of Cantons in the sense of the concordat on the high schools.

² The Federal Council shall fix the date of entry into force in agreement with the Conference of Cantons of Concordat within the meaning of the agreement on high schools; it may provide for retroactive effect.

This Convention may be denounced by the Confederation and by the Conference of Cantons in the sense of the concordat on the high schools for the end of a calendar year, with a notice of four years.

Are repealed:

1.

The Convention of 14 December 2000 between the Confederation and the university cantons on cooperation in the field of higher university schools ¹ ;

2.

The guidelines of the Swiss University Conference of 7 December 2006 for quality assurance in Swiss university colleges ² ;

3.

The guidelines of the Swiss University Conference of 28 June 2007 for accreditation in the field of university high schools in Switzerland ³ ;

4.

The Convention of 23 May 2007 between the Federal Department of Economics, Training and Research and the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Public Education on the Delegation to Third Parties of the Examination and Accreditation of High schools and their fields of study ⁴ .