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)
As per 2024 data, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is 3. There is no information available regarding the number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks (UIS). As per 2024 data, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes is 21.74%.
Governance
In the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), governance and financing of pre-primary education are shared across several government bodies. The National Department of Education is responsible for national education policy and sector planning, while the four State Departments of Education - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap - manage and deliver pre-primary services directly. Alongside the education authorities, the Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) leads the national early childhood development (ECD) policy and a multi-sector coordination mechanism that brings together education, health, and other relevant agencies to support joint planning and budgeting for early childhood. A major external actor in early childhood education financing is the U.S. Office of Head Start (OHS), which funds and oversees Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Tuition-free status
There is no information available regarding the number of years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Public funding for pre-primary education in FSM comes through several mechanisms. The most significant are the U.S. Head Start grants, through which OHS awards funds directly to eligible public agencies - typically state education divisions - to operate pre-primary services. Recent U.S. legislation guarantees a base Head Start grant of USD 8 million for FY2026 for FSM and the Marshall Islands, ensuring continuity of early childhood programs. The Head Start programme, by design, targets disadvantaged children through federal eligibility rules that prioritise low-income families and children with disabilities.
Another major source of education funding is the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and FSM. These funds are approved through the Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO) and distributed to national and state governments according to legal formulas. FSM has also benefited from Global Partnership for Education (GPE) financing, which supports ECE policy development, legislative work, classroom refurbishment and equipping, as well as school-feeding pilots that target equity. GPE funds are channelled through the National Department of Education based on grant agent arrangements.
2. Education resources to institutions
Government subsidies are allocated to public pre-primary institutions, primarily through Head Start grants, which finance operating costs and ensure that early childhood programs meet Head Start quality requirements.
3. Education resources to students and families
Early childhood and education (ECE) programmes under the Head Start are free to eligible families (no tuition), which functions as an in-kind subsidy. FSM does not appear to use vouchers, tax credits, or similar financial instruments for ECE.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
No information is found.
