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 the Cayman Islands, the Ministry of Education (MoE), operating under the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision), is responsible for setting national education policy, providing strategic direction for the sector, and managing all funds allocated for education by Parliament. Funding for basic education is provided through a two-year budget appropriation cycle, which allows unspent funds to be carried forward and enables flexibility in managing resources across the cycle. The Minister of Education directs the use of these funds.
Within the MoE, the Department of Education Services (DES) oversees the delivery of public education, including teaching and learning services, student support, and school operations. DES also manages key administrative and logistical functions such as facilities, equipment, transportation, human resources, communications, and information technology. Financial oversight and the allocation of resources to DES are managed by the MoE’s Finance and Accounting Section.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
School financing is centralised, with the central government allocating funds for basic education directly to the Ministry of Education, which then distributes resources to government and government-assisted schools.
2. Education resources to schools
Under the 2016 Education Act, amended in 2024, the Ministry of Education allocates annual budgets directly to 10 government primary schools, 3 government secondary schools, and 1 special school, while also having the authority to provide grants to assisted schools or those seeking assisted status. Funding is channelled through mechanisms such as direct grants, subsidies, scholarships, and the provision of services and personnel, in line with the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision). In addition, the Ministry operates schemes that target disadvantaged schools and those serving vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on supporting students with special educational needs at both primary and secondary levels.
Lighthouse School
The Lighthouse School, established in 1976, is the Cayman Islands’ only government-operated institution dedicated to educating primary and secondary students with moderate to profound special educational needs. It delivers the National Curriculum in adapted form and, for students with more complex needs, provides a critical life skills programme focused on communication and independent living. The school also runs a mainstream inclusion programme, enabling students to divide their time between a mainstream school and the Lighthouse School according to their individual needs. Funding for the daily operations, staff salaries, and programme delivery comes chiefly from the public education budget, which covers free tuition for Caymanian students attending government schools, including special needs schools like the Lighthouse School.
Under the 2023 Learning Support Needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy for Children and Young People in Education, the Ministry of Education must ensure that all children and young people with additional learning needs, including special educational needs and disabilities, receive appropriate support to access effective learning opportunities suited to their needs and abilities. This responsibility is shared with educational institutions, including individual schools. To enable this, the Ministry allocates funds for Student Services to support the assessment, identification, and intervention of children facing significant barriers to learning. Services include psychological and speech and language assessments, occupational and speech therapy, counselling, music therapy, and specialised programmes for students with hearing or visual impairments, as well as provision for English as an additional language.
3. Education resources to students and families
Secondary Level Scholarships
At the secondary level, students in Years 12 and 13 may access funding through the ‘A’ Level Programme or the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Scholarship. These schemes provide support for attendance at either government or private high schools, with eligibility dependent on strong academic performance.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
School Supplies and Uniform Assistance
The Department of Financial Assistance provides annual benefits to help families cover the cost of school supplies and uniforms for children of primary and secondary school from low-income or vulnerable households. Support is usually provided at the start of the school year. Eligible families receive support for school bags, supplies, and up to two pairs of shoes per child each year, as well as funding for three standard uniforms and one physical education uniform. Assistance is provided through direct payments to vendors based on submitted quotes or invoices, helping to ensure all students are equipped for school and reducing financial barriers to education.
5. School meal programmes
Launched in August 2021, the Public School Meals Programme provides free, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all students in government schools and selected private schools. Initially offered in primary schools and the Lighthouse School, it expanded in March 2022 to include all government high schools. The programme, funded and managed by the Ministry of Education, uses an interactive meal management system that allows parents to view menus, place orders, and monitor meal consumption. All meals comply with the Cayman Islands Public Schools Standards for Food Provision to ensure nutritional quality.
