Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Suriname, the financing of education is largely centralised, with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (MinOWC) serving as the primary government authority overseeing both primary and secondary schooling. The Ministry of Finance and Planning allocates the national education budget to MinOWC, which then distributes funds to public schools and other education providers to cover operational costs, staff salaries, and school development initiatives. While most funding flows directly from the central government, local governments may occasionally supplement school budgets, particularly for infrastructure improvements or targeted programmes.
In addition to domestic funding, international partners play a key role in supporting education in Suriname. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), for example, has provided significant financing to enhance education quality, modernise curricula, and strengthen school leadership, complementing the government’s own efforts to improve learning outcomes.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Political and administrative authority is largely centralised. The country is divided into ten administrative districts, which are further subdivided into resorts. Each district is managed by a District Commissioner appointed by the President. Districts do not receive direct funding for education; instead, all education financing is centrally managed and allocated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (MinOWC). The National Education Policy Suriname 2024–2031 identifies decentralisation of education funding as a key priority for future governance, highlighting the need to better address regional disparities and improve equity in resource allocation.
2. Education resources to schools
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture allocates funds directly to schools. The budget funds teacher salaries, school operations, infrastructure, curriculum development, and learning materials.
Interior Education (Onderwijs Binnenland)
Suriname’s interior and remote regions, particularly the province of Sipaliwini, have long faced challenges in education due to teacher shortages, language barriers, long travel distances, and limited infrastructure. To address these issues, the Ministry of Education drafted the Implementation Plan for Education in the Interior covering 2008–2015, aiming to restore and develop classrooms, expand school facilities, and increase the number of qualified teachers in these regions. Although the plan was halted in 2012, the government has maintained a dedicated budget line for Interior Education (Onderwijs Binnenland), ensuring ongoing support for teacher training and capital investment, including the development of Nucleus Centres in key locations such as Atjoni, Apoera, Kwamalasamutu, and Stoelmanseiland to improve access to schooling.
To attract and retain qualified educators in remote areas, the government provides additional financial incentives. Teachers assigned to interior schools are eligible for allowances including the standplaats (station) and ontbering (hardship) allowances, as well as a development bonus. In particularly isolated areas like Sipaliwini, teachers may receive up to 50% of their base salary in additional compensation. These measures aim to address the recruitment and retention challenges posed by geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and the higher cost of living in underserved communities.
3. Education resources to students and families
No information was found on Ministry of Education-funded programmes providing educational resources to students and families at the primary and secondary levels.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
General Child Benefit Provision
The General Child Benefit Provision, established under the General Child Allowance Act of 1973, is a core social protection programme in Suriname. Managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing (MOSAH), it provides unconditional cash transfers to households with children under 18. The programme targets families where the household head is unemployed and not receiving other child benefits. Eligibility requires annual verification through local MOSAH offices, and children must be under 18, unmarried, and not employed. While the programme supports low-income households, it does not include requirements linked to education, such as school attendance or enrolment.
To reduce economic barriers to schooling, MOSAH also administers the School Clothing Action programme. This policy provides financial support for school uniforms, bags, and essential learning materials for children from low-income families and reception centres. School packages are designed according to the child’s educational level, ensuring that all students have the necessary tools to participate fully in school. The programme contributes to equitable access to education by alleviating the cost burden on vulnerable households.
5. School meal programmes
School Feeding Project
Suriname is in the process of developing a comprehensive school meal programme, following the joining the School Meals Coalition in 2023. MinOWC initially piloted a School Feeding Project (schoolvoedingsproject) in 2022, providing fruit to students in 42 schools in high-poverty areas twice per week. In 2023, the government allocated funds to expand the programme to include bread through the School Bread Packages Project (schoolbroodjespakketproject). In 2025, the government approved scaling up the project to provide students at 180 schools with a daily breakfast of fresh bread with toppings and milk or juice. While the programme states that it targets students based on socio-economic need, there is no formal per-capita funding formula; participation is determined through administrative selection of schools serving vulnerable populations.
