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)
In 2024, the official entrance age to pre-primary education was 3 years old.
In 2024, the number of years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks was 2 years. The number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks is not available. For 2024, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 99,72%.
Governance
In Grenada, school financing for pre-primary education is primarily determined at the central level by the Ministry of Education, which allocates funds to schools in the form of grants provided to the Boards of Management.
Tuition-free status
The government guarantees 2 years of free pre-primary education in legal frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Resources are managed and distributed at the central level.
2. Education resources to institutions
Resources are allocated to schools by the Ministry of Education to finance all expenditures of public schools. The allocated resources are entrusted to the Board of Management, which is responsible for their receipt, disbursement, and accounting. Each school’s operation and maintenance budget is prepared by the principal and reviewed by the Board of Management for approval. Financial statements for all school finances must be submitted to the Chief Education Officer within seven days after the end of each term.
State-owned public schools are fully owned, managed, and financed by the government. Assisted private schools are privately owned, often by religious denominations, but receive substantial government support. Private schools are established, managed, and financed by private individuals or entities without government assistance. Denominational schools, established and managed by religious denominations, may function as either private or public institutions depending on their source of financing.
No equity mechanism has been identified.
3. Education resources to students and families
No financial support mechanisms for pre-primary education have been identified.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The Support for Education, Empowerment and Development (SEED) programme, initiated in 2013, aims to promote school enrolment and attendance while providing poverty alleviation through cash-based support for school and health care. The programme targets low-income students and children, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those experiencing indigence.
To receive assistance, children aged 5 to 8 years must meet school attendance requirements in public schools. Household members aged 0 to 5 years are required to attend health clinic visits, and parents must be registered with public health facilities. Additionally, parents and young adults are expected to participate in Developmental Awareness Sessions, which include workshops on health care, nutrition, reproductive health, and related topics.
In 2024, the SEED programme was reformed to provide up to a 66% increase in benefits to the most vulnerable populations.
