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 Samoa, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC) is the central authority responsible for overseeing and regulating basic education, including both government and non-state schools such as private and mission schools. Government schools operate in close partnership with local communities through village or district school committees, which handle governance, budgeting, and the allocation of resources linked to government grants.
Education in Samoa is funded through a mix of government expenditure, donor aid, community contributions, and private sector involvement. The Government of Samoa, through MESC, is the primary financier. Public schools receive funding from the national budget to cover teacher salaries, school administration, infrastructure development and maintenance, as well as learning materials and resources. Since 2019, the main channel for government funding has been the One Government Grant Scheme (OGG), which provides annual grants to government, mission, private, and special schools, as well as early childhood education centres. Grants are calculated and distributed per child following the signing of an OGG fund agreement and must be spent in accordance with the OGG Fund Manual, supporting staffing, resource procurement, and utilities.
Community and religious organisations also play an important role in education financing. Many schools, particularly primary and secondary, are managed by churches and rely on contributions to support staff and infrastructure. Parents may still pay school fees, though government policies aim to reduce or eliminate these for basic education, and local communities often provide financial or voluntary support. International donors and organisations, including New Zealand, Australia, UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and regional Pacific education initiatives, contribute significantly through funding for teacher training, infrastructure, curriculum development, literacy programmes, and capacity-building initiatives.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Samoa operates a centralised government system, with the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC) providing funds directly to school committees across the country.
2. Education resources to schools
Samoa Inclusive Education Demonstration Programme (SIEDP)
The Samoa Inclusive Education Demonstration Programme (SIEDP), implemented from 2010 to 2015, was funded primarily by the Australian Government, with later contributions managed by Samoa’s Ministry of Finance. The programme aimed to expand inclusive education and reach children and young people not served by mainstream primary and secondary schools, with a particular focus on students with disabilities in rural or remote areas and children living in disadvantaged circumstances. An Inclusive Education Adviser based within the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC) supported the programme’s implementation, providing technical guidance to schools and educators.
To continue supporting students with disabilities, Samoa’s Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture administers the Inclusive Education Fund, coordinated by the MESC Inclusive Education Unit. The Fund provides targeted resources and capacity-building support directly to schools, enabling educators to implement inclusive teaching practices. The Inclusive Education Unit also collaborates with specialised service providers, including SENESE Inclusive Education Support Services, Loto Taumafai Society, Aoga Fiamalamalama, Samoa Blind Person’s Association, and the Samoa Association of Sign Language Interpreters. Through these partnerships, mainstream schools receive tailored assistance to support students with disabilities, ensuring that inclusive education is integrated into everyday teaching and learning practices.
3. Education resources to students and families
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4. Social policies and family support programmes
Samoa District Development Programme (DDP)
The Samoa District Development Programme (DDP) is a government initiative that allocates SAT 1 million to each district to fund community-driven development projects, with a focus on improving local infrastructure and services. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) and managed at the local level by District Development Committees, which coordinate and oversee the use of funds within villages. Education is one area supported through the DDP. According to the 2024/25 budget address, 35 of Samoa’s 51 districts have used DDP funds to establish scholarship schemes, aimed at improving the affordability of basic education.
5. School meal programmes
In Samoa, the cost of school lunches is typically borne by parents. The 2021–2016 National Food and Nutrition Policy highlights the importance of improving food and nutritional health in schools. The policy recommends advocating for government support or subsidisation of school lunches to ensure all children have access to adequate nutrition and to address broader school nutrition challenges.
