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 Belarus, the official entrance age to organised pre-primary education is three years old. Belarusian legislation establishes 1 year of both free and compulsory pre-primary education ; specifically, the preparatory year for children aged 5, the year immediately preceding primary school entry at age 6. Participation in broader pre-primary programmes (ages 1–4) is not compulsory, though enrolment is high. In 2024, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 98.27%
According to the 2011 Education Code (amended in 2025), ‘early age’ education is defined as education for children from two months to three years. ‘Preschool age’ education is for children aged three and up to seven. In 2021, 85.3% of children ages 1-6 were participating in preschool education.
Governance
The Ministry of Education manages the entire education system in Belarus, including pre-primary education. However, financing of preschools is carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and regional executive committees.
Tuition-free status
Pre-primary education is tuition-free, according to laws and policies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Belarus’ education system is centralized and primarily funded through public funds, about half of which come from the central level. Local governments receive funding from tax revenue, non-tax revenue, and government grants and subsidies. The central government helps provide local governments with needed funds through equalization grants. The amount of grant provided to the region depends on the tax potential of the area.
2. Education resources to institutions
Article 129 of the 2011 Education Code (amended in 2025) states that pre-schools are partially funded by the local budget. Finances are paid out based on the standard budgetary provision of expenses per pupil in preschool education institutions or special kindergartens, as established by state social standards for public services.
The 2023 Resolution of the Council of Ministers No 942 set the standards of expense for the year 2024 onwards. Preschool education institutions in urban areas receive BR 4033.85 per student, while institutions in rural settlements receive BR 4943.08 per student. Corrective coefficients are added for certain groups, such as students with disabilities and students from areas exposed to radioactive contamination.
Local governments may also help fund private preschool education institutions and other private institutions that implement a special education programme at the preschool level. However, there are very few privatepreschool institutions in the country. In 2018, out of more than 3800 schools, only 12 were private.
3. Education resources to students and families
Pre-primary education is free in the Republic of Belarus. Preschool educational institutions are required to organize meals for students. The cost of meals is the main parental contribution in preschool settings. Under Council of Ministers Resolution No. 307 of 29 February 2008, families with two children both enrolled in preschool or special preschool education receive a 30% discount on meal costs. Families with three or more children under 18 years of age receive a 50% discount, as do guardians and foster parents, and families residing in Chernobyl-affected contamination zones (zones of subsequent resettlement, zones with right to resettlement, and zones with periodic radiation monitoring).
Meals are provided free of charge for: children who are themselves disabled; children with oncological diseases, tuberculosis, or HIV infection; and children from families of certain military, law enforcement, and security service personnel killed or fatally injured in the line of duty, as defined in Article 3(12) of Law No. 239-Z of 14 June 2007 on State Social Benefits, Rights and Guarantees for Certain Categories of Citizens.
Families experiencing financial hardship may apply for state targeted social assistance through local social protection authorities, available to households whose average per-capita income falls below the subsistence minimum. This cash benefit can help offset preschool-related costs.
However, in practice, preschool institutions frequently request voluntary financial contributions from families for maintenance, equipment, and activities. Contributions are channelled through boards of trustees in accordance with Resolution No. 146 of the Ministry of Education of 25 July 2011, and must be credited to the institution's account rather than collected informally. While legally voluntary, social pressure to contribute may create de facto financial barriers, particularly for lower-income families, and represents an equity concern in access to pre-primary education.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection provides Child Benefits to children from birth until the age of three. Families also receive an additional Family Allowance (50% of the subsistence allowance) for each other child 3-18 years of age while raising the child under 3 years of age. Children classed as disabled receive 100–120% of the subsistence minimum after age 3, depending on the degree of health impairment.
The childcare benefit for children under 3 is recalculated twice a year (from 1 February and 1 August) in line with the growth of average wages. Benefits calculated from the subsistence minimum are recalculated quarterly (from 1 February, 1 May, 1 August, and 1 November).
The amount of the benefit = (X/100)*35, where X is the average salary. The benefit for a child under 3 is calculated as: 35% of average salary for the first child, 40% of average salary for the second and subsequent children, and 45% of average salary for a child with disabilities.
For the first half of 2026, families receive BR 1,000 for the first child, BR 1,143 for the second child, and BR 1,286 for a child with disabilities. Additional allowances are provided for children with HIV and for families who live in the zone of active radioactive contamination.
Family Capital is a long-running capital grant (initially introduced by Presidential Decree No. 572 (2014), with ongoing updates) for families with three or more children. Rules explicitly allow using the capital to pay tuition (scope recently expanded to allow payment for the “next academic year”).
This profile was reviewed by Ms Hanna Siarova
