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 North Macedonia, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is three years old. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 45.18 as of 2023.
Governance
Funding for pre-primary education in North Macedonia comes from multiple ministries but the majority of it is under the budget of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, which is the ministry primarily responsible for pre-school education in accordance with the 2013 Law on Child Protection. Within the ministry, the Unit for Child Protection is the one responsible for pre-school education. The Ministry of Local Self-Governance is also involved. The funding comes from the central government.
The Programme for Early Learning and Development is under the Ministry of Education, Bureau for the Development of Education.
Tuition-free status
Public pre-primary education is not free in North Macedonia.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Funds for pre-primary education primarily come from the central Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. The ministry adopts a financial plan, criteria for allocation, and implements the distribution of funds.
The central government allocates funds to municipalities through block grants and dedicated (special) grants. Block grants consider the number of staff and students in the kindergartens.
2. Education resources to institutions
The funding formula for preschools considers the number of employed staff and the used capacity of the preschool. There are no equity considerations in the formula.
According to the 2000 Law on Child Protection, in the case when in a certain municipality there is no public kindergarten or public centre for early childhood development established by the municipality or there are legal entities that do not have sufficient capacity and the parents have expressed interest and there is a required number of children for the establishment of new institutions for care and education of preschool children, the municipality may, within 30 days of documenting the need, initiate a procedure for granting a concession or awarding a contract for the establishment of public-private partnership with privately owned legal entities that operate within the system for care and education of preschool children, in accordance with the law.
3. Education resources to students and families
No information was found. Pre-primary education is primarily managed by the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
There are three social financial assistance programmes aimed at supporting families with young children and one which is focused on pre-primary education.
Guaranteed Minimum Assistance
Families are eligible for guaranteed minimum assistance if their household income is below the level set by the government. The basic amount in 2025 was MKD 4,000, with additional amounts for each household member and MKD 800 for each child.
Child Allowance
Families with children may receive a child allowance if they meet low-income criteria. For children not yet of school age in 2025, the allowance is MKD 1,200 per month for one child and MKD 1,900 per month for two or more children. These amounts are adjusted yearly in line with the increase in cost of living for the previous year.
Special Allowance
Children with special needs are eligible for a special allowance of MKD 4,202 in 2025. The amount is higher for single-parent households or for families already receiving guaranteed minimum assistance. These amounts are adjusted yearly in line with the increase in the cost of living for the previous year.
Inclusion of Roma children in public kindergartens
The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth provides Roma children at social risk with free preschool education. The programme is supported by the Roma Education Fund of Budapest, UNICEF, local self-government units and public municipal kindergartens. The project is aimed towards Roma children ages 3-6. Over 18 years, over 5,000 children were enrolled in municipal kindergartens.
