Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 42.86 in 2023. The initial government funding per tertiary student, as a percentage of GDP per capita, was 132.92 in 2004, the most recent year for which UIS data were available. Data on the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita is not available from UIS.

Tuition-free status

Public tertiary education in Tonga is not tuition-free according to national laws and policies. Tonga National University (TNU) is the sole government-operated higher education institute in the country, established in 2023 following the 2021 Tonga National University Act, which merged all major government-owned tertiary colleges. The act explicitly grants the institution the authority to collect tuition fees from students.

Governance

The Ministry of Education and Training (MET) is the central government agency responsible for allocating and overseeing higher education funding.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

There are no funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the central government to local governments for public higher education.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

No funding is provided to private universities when no public university is available. The Ministry of Education annually offers scholarships to five students from the outer islands to study at private institutions, as outlined in Section 3 of this profile.

Allocation and equity

The establishment of Tonga National University in 2023, under the 2021 Tonga National University Act, merged all six previously existing publicly owned tertiary institutions into a single entity. The university is centrally funded from the national budget.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

Tonga National University (TNU) does not publicly advertise special admission criteria that support access to vulnerable groups. However, the 2018 Tonga Qualifications Framework Policies requires non-discrimination in admissions, stating that “entry requirements should not discriminate against individuals because of descent, gender, social origin, place of birth, family status, or special needs. They should be reasonable for the level and complexity of the qualification,” and that, “whenever possible, open entry […] is encouraged, in order to provide access to learning opportunities”.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

The Ministry of Education and Training administers the Tonga Government Scholarships programme, which provides scholarships to tertiary applicants. These scholarships are primarily based on academic achievement, though the application encourages students to discuss their experiences with financial hardship. The programme also offers five scholarships to tertiary students from outer islands to pursue private tertiary education.

Tonga’s government funds a low-interest student loan scheme, administered through the Tonga Development Bank, to support Tongan citizens pursuing tertiary education, including studies abroad, who lack sufficient financial resources. The programme offers loans at 1% interest to Tongan citizens who have been accepted into an accredited institution and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to those studying in areas that align with Tonga’s development priorities.