Financing for equity in pre-primary education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

3. Education resources to students and families

4. Social policies and family support programmes

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

The official entrance age for pre-primary education in Vanuatu is 3 years old. According to UIS data for 2023, the net enrolment rate at the pre-primary level is 51.59%.

Governance

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) is the main government body responsible for financing, allocating, and overseeing pre-primary education in Vanuatu. National and provincial pre-school coordinators, funded through the MoET budget, administer and supervise early childhood education at the local level in line with the 2010 National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy and the National Early Childhood Care and Education Framework.

Tuition-free status

The government subsidises government and government assisted schools to make kindergartens free for all children ages 4 and 5 in accordance with the Free Education Policy.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Government allocations primarily support administrative roles, including national and provincial coordinators, and some teacher training. Operational costs, such as infrastructure, teacher salaries, and school fees, are largely covered by local communities. In addition, donor agencies, including the Global Partnership for Education, provide grants for early childhood care and education, often in partnership with the government.

2. Education resources to institutions

Since 2017, the government has provided grants to non-state kindergartens attached to primary schools. These grants are intended to cover teacher salaries and operational costs for children aged 4 to 5, ensuring broader access to early childhood education within these affiliated institutions.