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 the 2024 UIS database, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is 4. The number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks is 2. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes is 53.45%.
Governance
The principal government agency responsible for defining policy, planning, and financing for pre-primary (and general education) is the Ministry of Education (MoE). The overall education budget (for pre-primary through higher levels) is negotiated between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Furthermore, the governance structure is influenced by decentralisation provisions under the 2010 Decentralisation Act (amended 2019), which empowers local councils (island, atoll, city) to deliver preschool services.
Tuition-free status
The number of years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks is 2.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Pre-primary is financed primarily through the broader public education budget under the Ministry of Education (MoE). Central funding is meant to ensure universal access regardless of geography or background. In addition to central funding, local councils have access to their own revenues (e.g., fees from municipal services, land rentals, and local businesses) and intergovernmental grants allocated by the central government under decentralisation.
2. Education resources to institutions
The Ministry of Education (MoE) allocates a special allowance per head to schools enrolling children with special needs.
3. Education resources to students and families
No information was found.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Established under the 2014 Social Protection Act, conditional cash transfer programmes in the Maldives support single and foster parents raising children under 18. These programmes aim to safeguard children’s well-being and promote equal educational opportunities.
Single Parent Allowance Programme
Under the Single Parent Allowance Programme, eligible parents who are unmarried, have incomes below the poverty threshold, live in the Maldives, and care for their children receive MVR 1,000 per child each month, up to a maximum of MVR 10,000. Eligible children must be Maldivian citizens, meet national health and vaccination requirements, and attend school regularly. Exceptions are made in special circumstances, such as parental imprisonment, medical needs, or study-related separation.
Foster Parent Allowance Programme
The Foster Parent Allowance Programme provides MVR 1,000 per child under 18 and an additional MVR 500 for the guardian. Applicants must hold legal guardianship of children whose parents are deceased, incapacitated, imprisoned, or declared unfit due to neglect, be Maldivian citizens residing in the country, and meet the poverty threshold set by the National Social Protection Agency. Eligible foster children must also be Maldivian, vaccinated according to national health standards, attend school regularly, and not already receive a disability allowance.
