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 the Marshall Islands, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Training (MoEST) is the central authority responsible for overseeing public education and allocating financial resources. The Ministry manages the Education Fund, which was established under the Public School System Act of 2013 (P.L. 2013-23) to support the financing of the school system. The Fund receives revenue from multiple sources, including appropriations by the Nitijela (parliament), authorised fees, gifts and grants from domestic and international entities, and other monies payable under applicable laws.
Following independence from the United States in 1986, the Marshall Islands entered the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which provides annual financial transfers and access to federal programmes and services. In Fiscal Year 2026 (Oct 1 2025-Sept 30, 2026), the Public School System drew its main contributions from the following sources: locally generated domestic revenue allocated to the Fund (24%), COFA transfers (42%), and US Additional Education Assistance Grant, separate from COFA (21%), US Federal Programs (5%), and other grants from development partners (8%).
The MoEST centrally manages the allocation of education resources through its Division of Budget and Finance, distributing funds to schools based on student enrolment. Annual revenue and expenditure estimates are submitted by the Commissioner of Education to the Minister of Education and approved by the Cabinet and the National Board of Education, in line with the 2015 School System Rules and Regulations. Government funding supports a comprehensive range of educational needs, including teacher salaries, school maintenance, learning materials, and student support programmes, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed across the public school system.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Resource allocation is centralised, with the national government managing and distributing financial resources. In line with P.L. 2013-23 and the 2015 School System Rules and Regulations, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Training (MoEST) allocates funds directly.
2. Education resources to schools
No publicly available information was found on equity-focused distribution of resources to schools through the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Training. Funds are distributed for school needs, based on relative enrollment figures, with some place-based expenses allocated based on location. For example, rural schools benefit from significant investments in freight costs and chartered ships, whereas urban schools benefit from investments in electricity tariffs to power the schools.
3. Education resources to students and families
Transportation and Lodging for Students from Rural Neighboring Islands Attending Boarding Schools
The Public School System budget covers transportation, lodging, and meal costs for students from rural neighbor islands attending boarding schools. Per the 2013 Marshall Islands Public School System Act, the Public School System may offer transportation services for special education, preschool, elementary, and secondary students, subject to available resources. It further requires the development of regulations that consider students’ residence and distance from school, physical or learning disabilities, and the specific geographic and community conditions of different islands and atolls. The Act also authorizes assistance with residence for secondary students who may not feasibly travel to and from school every day due to distance. The Public School System budget covers transportation and lodging for students from rural neighboring islands attending boarding schools.
RMI Education and Skills Strengthening Project
A World Bank project initiated in 2024 and scheduled to begin in 2025 aims to address equity issues for children from outer islands, including the high costs they face to access secondary education, which is only available on larger islands.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Although no information is available on government programmes specifically targeting students in basic education, the Marshall Islands has implemented a conditional cash transfer programme to support children and families under its Early Childhood Development (ECD) project.
5. School meal programmes
Marshall Islands School Lunch Programme
The Marshall Islands School Lunch Programme, launched in 2017, provides universal meals to students across pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools. In cases where meals cannot be provided due to a lack of available resources, parents are provided with cash assistance to provide lunch for their children. Managed by the Public School System, the programme operates five times a week during the school year, aiming to improve student nutrition, promote health education, prevent non-communicable diseases, address food insecurity, and encourage school attendance.
The programme follows guidance from the Canvasback Wellness Center and incorporates a diverse menu that includes poultry, red meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Nutritionists are actively involved in meal planning and monitoring, and students participate in food preparation, serving, and cleanup, fostering engagement and practical skills.
This profile was reviewed by Natalie Nimmer, Commissioner of Education for the Marshall Islands.
