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)
The official entrance age to pre-primary education is 3 years old. As of 2023, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes is 78.79%.
Pre-primary education institutions charge parents for their services with the exception of the one-year school preparation programme, which is free of charge. Article 3 of the 1997 Preschool Education Act (amended 2022) states that pre-school education is for children from the age of 6 months until they start primary school. Article 20 gives every child the right to enroll in pre-primary education. Whether or not preschool is compulsory or not is determined by the local or regional self-government unit. The act also states that all children are obliged to attend a preschool programme prior to starting primary school.
Governance
The 1997 Preschool Education Act (amended 2022) states that counties, the City of Zagreb, cities, and municipalities have the right and obligation to organise and establish preschool education programmes.
The Ministry of Science and Education is responsible for overseeing pre-primary education. Social welfare programmes in pre-primary education are managed by the Ministry of Social Welfare. Health care programmes are managed by the Ministry of Health. Pre-primary programmes are almost exclusively managed withinthe competence of local and/or regional self-government units (LGUs).
Tuition-free status
A one-year pre-primary education program is provided free of charge to 5-year-olds.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Funding for pre-primary education in Croatia is largely decentralised. According to the State Pedagogical Standard of Preschool Education (OG 63/2008), the cost of financing a pre-school institution is borne by the school’s founders and the students’ parents. The founders of public schools are usually local and/or regional self-government units, but can also be the Republic of Croatia, religious communities, or other legal and natural persons.
The transfer of funds from the central government to subnational governments is governed by the Financing of Local and Regional Self-Government Units Act. These funds may be determined based on the number of students, educational departments and school buildings in the county/city in relation to the total number of students, classrooms, and school buildings.
2. Education resources to institutions
Pre-primary education institutions receive funds from their founders. Local and regional self-government units determine their own criteria for the provision of funds to cover these needs. These funds have a minimum amount determined by the representative body of the county.
A part of the national funds for the public needs programmes is earmarked for pre-primary education. According to the 1997 Preschool Education Act (amended 2022), the Ministry of Science and Education distributes these funds to co-finance individual programmes which have ethical considerations. This includes programmes for children with disabilities, gifted children, preschool programmes, programmes for children belonging to national minorities and programmes for children of Croatian citizens abroad.
3. Education resources to students and families
According to the 1997 Preschool Education Act (amended 2022), priority enrolment should be given to children of disabled parents, children from families with three or more children, children of both employed parents, children with disabilities or chronic illnesses, children of single parents, children who are in foster families, and children of parents who receive child allowance or the guaranteed minimum allowance.
The Social Welfare System also provides early development support for families with a child who has been diagnosed with a developmental deviation, developmental risk or other such difficulties. These services are provided for the child starting from age 3 up to age 7.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The guaranteed minimum allowance is EUR 160. Families with children receive additional funds depending on their situation.
The Child Allowance is a cash provision given to support the upbringing and care of children. The allowance is provided to families whose average income does not exceed 140% of the base (EUR 441.44 in 2024).
This profile was reviewed by national expert, Hatidza Jahic.
