Based on the current discussion on 21st century skills this contribution gives a short overview of the present situation in Switzerland and at PHSZ1 in particular. What are the aims of education policy and what has already been achieved in this process? As this analysis has shown, the biggest challenge is to ensure a smooth and timely educational paradigm shift to competence orientation at universities of teacher education and schools. This means a change from teaching factual knowledge to the development of competences needed to acquire the necessary knowledge in a fast-changing society. This gradual integration is challenging and requires basic adaptations to the curriculum and to the current teacher education and teaching practice. The new Curriculum 21 has been developed to take on this challenge through all school levels.