Aargau Plans Reform of Teacher Salary Regulations to Address Qualification Gaps

The Canton of Aargau is proposing a revision to its teacher salary decrees, the LDLP and VALL, to address a high rate of uncertified staff and streamline administrative processes. Under the proposal, teachers without an EDK-recognized diploma will face a permanent 15 percent salary deduction, replacing the current five-year 5 percent reduction. The public consultation period for these changes runs from July 8, 2026, to October 9, 2026.

New Salary Structure for Uncertified Teachers

According to the Aargau State Chancellery, approximately one-quarter of teachers in the canton’s public schools currently lack a diploma recognized by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK).

The current regulation imposes a 5 percent salary deduction for five years on teachers without an recognized degree. Once this period expires, the deduction is lifted regardless of whether the teacher has obtained a qualification. The proposed revision aims to permanently link compensation to professional standards. Under the new framework, teachers lacking an EDK-recognized diploma will be subject to a permanent 15 percent salary reduction. For teachers who are “partially qualified”—such as those holding a teaching diploma for a different school level—a 5 percent deduction will remain in effect.

Strategic Goals and Transitional Provisions

The Aargau Government Council intends for these changes to incentivize further training and uphold the quality of education across the cantonal school system. By mandating a permanent salary impact, the canton aims to emphasize the value of formal pedagogical training.

To prevent an immediate exacerbation of the existing teacher shortage, the government has included transitional regulations and specific exceptions for currently employed staff. Furthermore, the proposal outlines distinct rules for students at pedagogical universities who are already working within the school system while completing their degrees.

Administrative and Operational Adjustments

Beyond the salary revisions, the legislative package introduces several operational changes designed to reduce administrative burdens on school administrations:

* Stellvertretungen: The process for hiring and managing substitute teachers will be simplified.
* New Functions: The decree introduces new professional roles for teaching assistants and specialized staff in the field of remedial pedagogy (schulische Heilpädagogik).
* Centralized Grading: New hires will undergo a centralized salary classification process conducted by the canton to ensure uniform application of pay scales.

Timeline for Implementation

The public consultation process is scheduled to conclude on October 9, 2026. Following the review of feedback, the government plans to submit a dispatch (Botschaft) to the Grand Council by the end of 2026. If approved, the revised regulations are slated to enter into force on August 1, 2028.