This article focuses on the history of cooperativism in educational circles in French-speaking Switzerland in the early 20th century (1918–1930). It highlights the links between social movements and educational practices, particularly through the involvement of teachers in cooperative initiatives. It is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the history of the cooperative movement in French-speaking Switzerland. It presents the origins of cooperativism and the role of committed political and intellectual figures in the post-war context and the labour movement. The second part examines the relationship between cooperativism and education through an analysis of the activist careers of teachers in French-speaking Switzerland, particularly women.

This part establishes that these teachers are involved in consumer cooperatives as well as in initiatives that seek to transfer the ideas of cooperativism into schools. On the political level, the article highlights the strong relationship between these groups and “le socialisme chrétien”, which is well represented among Swiss Protestant pacifist groups in French-speaking Switzerland.

The study cites biographical archives, activist sources and press excerpts to trace these dynamics. The article highlights a period of politicisation among educational circles between 1918 and 1930, just before a reversal of progress. This period was marked by a blurring of the lines between social reform and educational reform for these actors. It highlights the importance of women teachers in these processes and calls for further research into the links between educational activism and cooperative ideals.