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 (UIS 2023 estimates). No data is found regarding the number of years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks, the number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks, and the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes.
Governance
There is no fully established or dedicated public financing system for pre-primary education. Pre-primary education is primarily organized and provided by non-state actors - private providers, NGOs, religious institutions, and households.
Tuition-free status
Pre-primary education is not guaranteed to be tuition-free under national frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
According to the 2025 Budget Policy Framework Paper, there are general-purpose federal grants to states and the Benadir Regional Administration, some of which are formula-based or donor-funded and performance-linked, but these transfers are not earmarked for pre-primary education.
2. Education resources to institutions
According to the 2022-2026 Education Sector Strategic Plan, there was no public provision of pre-primary education at the time of the plan’s baseline, even though the government commits to expanding pre-primary education (e.g., pilot/model centres and integrated classrooms). As mentioned in the Introduction, pre-primary education primarily organized and provided by non-state actors.
3. Education resources to students and families
No information is found.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Somalia’s Baxnaano social safety net program, implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), is not explicitly designed to support pre-primary education. The program provides cash transfers to poor households with children to improve household welfare and human capital outcomes.
Evidence of educational impact from Baxnaano relates primarily to school-age children rather than pre-primary education. The program has reduced financial pressures that often lead to school dropouts by enabling households to cover school fees, transportation, and other education-related costs. This has increased school attendance and reduced the use of negative coping strategies, such as withdrawing children from school for income-generating activities. As a result, 98% of beneficiary households report improved financial security that supports their children’s schooling.
