Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In 2023 the official entry age to pre-primary education (UIS) was 3. There were 2 years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks and no data for the number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 75.24%.
Governance
Under the Education Act of 2006 the Ministry of Education is responsible for policy and regulation of pre-primary education and the allocation and oversight of education budgets which are allocated from the Ministry of Finance. Public salaries are paid through the government payroll through the Ministry of Finance.
Pre-primary education is for children aged 3 and 4, primary education is compulsory and begins aged 5. Provision of pre-primary care is through government operated Early Childhood Centres (ECE) and private provision at pre-schools and community learning centres. The 2025 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure states that there were 17 public providers and 115 private providers in 2025.
Tuition-free status
At public institutions pre-primary education is tuition-free according to Part III, Division 1, Section 16 of the Education Act 2006.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Funding of education in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is centrally administered. No evidence was found of equity considerations in this funding.
2. Education resources to institutions
Public ECEs are funded through the centrally allocated Ministry of Education budget. Teachers are paid through the central government payroll. The Consumer Price index of SVG lists average monthly fees at private pre-primary as XCD 330 per month in 2025. No evidence was found of targeted equity funding.
3. Education resources to students and families
No evidence was found of programmes to transfer resources directly to students and families.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a system of public assistance, also known as poor relief, in 2025 administered by the Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development, Gender Affairs and Persons with Disabilities. This is monetary help given to aged needy, fostered children, the handicapped, school children and orphans. No educational component or pre-school conditionality element was found.
