Leisure School Lucerne – New Educational Program from Autumn 2025
A New Chapter for Education in Lucerne
Education doesn't end with the school bell. This conviction is at the heart of a new project announced by the Association of the Humanistic School of Switzerland in spring 2025: the establishment of a leisure school in the city of Lucerne. The program aims to offer children, adolescents, and adults a space where learning is voluntary, self-determined, and comes from the heart.
What is a Leisure School?
A leisure school is not a tutoring school and not a substitute for regular instruction according to Curriculum 21. It is a supplementary, voluntary educational program that takes place outside of compulsory school hours – in suitable premises, preferably in downtown Lucerne. The courses are based on the principles of humanistic pedagogy: respect, inner motivation, dialogue, and creative development.
The program includes three target groups:
- Children (6–12 years): Creativity, self-expression, social interaction, and initial philosophical discussions about values and responsibility.
- Adolescents (12–18 years): Self-development, emotional intelligence, future planning, and exploring one's own strengths.
- Adults: Personal development, parent education, and further training in humanistic pedagogical methods.
Clear Distinction from Regular School
It is important to emphasize: The leisure school is not a parallel school system and does not compete with the state school. It complements the existing educational offerings with those dimensions that are often neglected in Curriculum 21 – the inner development of the individual, the ability for self-reflection, and learning in a genuine community.
The courses take place in the afternoons, on weekends, or during school holidays. Parents can voluntarily enroll their children; cooperation with the regular school is possible but not required.
Location and Starting Conditions
The preferred location is the city of Lucerne, where the association is already active. The first courses are planned to start in autumn 2025 – provided that enough registrations are received. Interested families can already register on the website to secure their spot and support the association in its search for premises.
The lecturer for the youth and adult courses is Prof. Dr. Marina Chayka, an expert in humanistic pedagogy with many years of experience in Switzerland and internationally.
How You Can Support the Leisure School
The project thrives on community. You can support the leisure school in several ways: by registering your interest, by donating to the association, or by recommending the program to others. Every registration helps the association to demonstrate that there is a demand – and brings the Leisure School Lucerne one step closer to reality.