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
Government and non-government education schools in Tonga operate side by side, with government schools primarily managed by the Ministry of Education and non-government schools, mostly run by churches. At the primary level, most education (82% of enrollment in 2020) is provided by the state. At the secondary level, most students (70% of enrollment in 2020) attend non-government schools.
Education is funded through a combination of government allocations, international aid, and contributions from families and local communities. The Ministry of Education and Training centrally manages funding for both government and non-government schools, providing a per-student grant that covers teacher salaries, school infrastructure, and a portion of operational costs. Non-government schools receive state subsidies and work in close partnership with the government to provide widespread access to education across the country.
International support plays an important role in strengthening the sector. Organisations such as the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education, along with bilateral partners like Australia and New Zealand, provide targeted assistance for infrastructure development, teacher training, curriculum enhancement, and digital learning initiatives. Family and community contributions, while secondary, also help support school operations and local needs.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Education financing in Tonga is largely centralised, with the Ministry of Education and Training providing grant funds directly to schools. These grants cover core expenses, including teacher salaries, infrastructure, and operational costs. Schools also receive additional support from external donors, as well as religious organisations and community groups, which help supplement resources and support local initiatives.
2. Education resources to schools
Both government and non-government schools receive funds directly from the Ministry of Education and Training. MoET provides annual per-student grants to non-government schools, stipulating the use to which the grants shall be put in each school (which is the responsibility of the Grants Monitoring & Management unit under the MoET). The subsidies aim to ensure that teacher salaries remain similar to government salaries and that tuition fees remain low for families, with the goal of ensuring equitable provision of education across sectors and levels.
Inclusive Education Programme
Since 2021, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has implemented the Inclusive Education Programme to improve inclusive access to education. Per the Budget Statement 2024-5, the programme aims to improve education outcomes for children and young people with disabilities by increasing access to high-quality, inclusive education. A stated aim of the programme for 2025 is to specifically improve access to inclusive education on the outer islands.
3. Education resources to students and families
No publicly available information was found on this topic.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Skills and Employment for Tongans (SET) Conditional Cash Transfer Programme
The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme for secondary schools in Tonga was introduced in 2019 as part of the Skills and Employment for Tongans (SET) Project, a joint initiative between the Tongan government and the World Bank’s International Development Association. The programme, which concluded in December 2024, aimed to reduce secondary school dropout rates by providing financial support to vulnerable families, conditional on student attendance.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs led implementation, with support from the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance. Funding was primarily external, with the World Bank providing the majority and additional support from the Australia-Pacific Islands Partnership Trust Fund. Cash transfers were given to households of secondary students who met attendance requirements, incentivising continued enrolment.
The 2024/25 Budget Statement notes the possibility of continuing the CCT component, though no further details on future implementation or funding were available.
5. School meal programmes
Free Breakfasts for Schools Programme
In 2023, the Ministry of Education and Training launched the Free Breakfasts for Schools Programme, providing breakfast meals twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to all primary and early childhood education schools, both government and non-government, with the aim of improving student attendance and overall health and well-being. Funding comes from the Ministry, supplemented by religious organisations including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Adventist Church. This initiative offering was cancelled in 2025.
