Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Comoros, the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research for Training and Professional Integration is responsible for developing and implementing government policy in education, teaching, research, and the arts. It comprises central administration, the general inspection authority, three island directorates (Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mohéli), affiliated institutions, and three national committees. The Ministry oversees national policy for pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical, and vocational education, including curriculum design.
According to a Partnership Pact between GPE and Comoros, the country plans to structure two directorates within the Ministry of National Education that will manage and distribute education funds equitably. The Directorate General and Trust Management prepares, monitors, and executes the state budget allocated to education. The Directorate General of Human Resources ensure that schools are staffed equitably.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The Ministry of Education, together with island education directorates and three local education commissions (Ngazidja, Ndzuani, Mwali), manages education infrastructure and staff recruitment per civil service law. Under Article 67 of Law N°20-034/1U (2020), the state provides annual financial grants and exceptional subsidies to local authorities for school management and projects. However, no information is available on equitable funding mechanisms from central to local governments.
2. Education resources to schools
The School Environment Improvement Project (ASPP)
The Ministry of National Education, with the support of the AFD, is rehabilitating 46 public primary, middle, and high schools. 70% of the establishments are located in rural areas and the project will benefit 3,338 students and their families. Over five years (2021-2026) ASPP is projected to cost EUR 21.9 million. It is completely funded by the AFD.
Strengthening Education for Better Results (REACH) project
REACH is a global initiative under the AIM4Learning programme. In Comoros, the programme objectives are to expand equitable access to education with a focus on girls education. Schools are provided with necessary infrastructure and learning materials. The project covers all public schools in the country. This project is also completely funded by external donors.
No information was found on state programmes that transfer resources specifically to disadvantaged schools or those serving target groups.
3. Education resources to students and families
Learning Materials Distribution
With UNICEF’s support, the Ministry of Education produced and distributed 27,000 preschool textbooks and teachers’ guides, along with 128,000 French and mathematics textbooks and school kits for primary students in 2018.
Since 2020, a similar programme provides school supplies to students from vulnerable families, with an emphasis on supporting girls. The programme is managed by the Ministry of Gender Promotion and Solidarity, with the technical support of UNICEF Comoros, through KOICA funds. The school kits include a school bag, notebooks, pens, pencils, books and textbooks, a geometry kid, calculators, and more.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Social Safety Net
Comoros’ Social Safety Net Project, supported by the World Bank, aims to expand poor communities’ access to safety net and nutrition services, focusing on women heads of household. Activities promote education, parenting, nutrition, awareness of children’s education, and women’s empowerment. However, the cash transfers have no education-related conditionality.
5. School meal programmes
The government does not currently have a school meal programme in place. The 2014 National Nutrition Plan established, as one of its priority interventions, the opening of school canteens.
The provision of school meals may be supported by internal and external partners. For example, MAEECHA, a Comorian NGO has opened canteens in two public schools and the community school. Food is distributed twice a week.
