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)
According to UIS data, the official entrance age to pre-primary education in San Marino is 3 years old as of 2024. In the same year, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary education for both sexes was 97.86%.
Governance
Pre-primary education is financed and administered by the Government of San Marino through the Secretariat of State for Education and Culture. Operational management is carried out by the Department of Education and Culture, which coordinates the Unified Directorate for Pre-primary Schools and Early Childhood Services (Direzione Unica Scuola dell’Infanzia e Nido per l’Infanzia).
Tuition-free status
According to the National Service Charter (2023) for preschools, pre-primary education at scuola dell'infanzia (ages 3-6) is free.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Pre-primary education is highly centralised. No subnational funding mechanisms have been identified.
2. Education resources to institutions
The Government of San Marino allocates resources directly to pre-primary institutions. No equity-based allocation mechanisms have been documented.
3. Education resources to students and families
Attendance at the scuola dell’infanzia (ages 3–6) is free, with programmes fully financed by the State budget. Families are required to pay only for the school meal service, currently €4.20 per day, which covers a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. The fee is waived on days when the child is absent or leaves before lunch/arrives after lunch. An equity measure reduces the meal fee by 20% for families with three or more children enrolled in nursery, pre-primary, or primary school. For nidi d’infanzia (ages 0–3), families pay a regulated monthly fee and daily rate set by the Congress of State.
No additional subsidies, vouchers, or tax deductions are provided; support is mainly delivered through direct public funding and targeted meal reductions for larger families.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
No financial support mechanisms for pre-primary education financed by other ministries were identified.
