Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Luxembourg, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth oversees the planning, management, and funding of primary and secondary education. In elementary education, municipalities organise and manage schools—covering class distribution, timetables, and infrastructure—while also funding school buildings and equipment. In secondary education, municipalities are not involved; schools report directly to the Ministry. In both levels, teachers are appointed and paid by the State.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
According to the 2023 state budget, the government provides financial contributions to municipalities for operating educational and childcare services.
The quota system (“contingent”) was introduced with the 2009 primary school reform to allocate resources based on municipal population composition. It employs a weighting coefficient to address disparities by directing more resources to municipalities with socially disadvantaged populations. Resources are allocated based on a quota of teaching hours, ensuring that the distribution is both quantitatively and qualitatively equitable. The objective is to reduce educational inequalities and better meet pupils' specific needs.
The model is based on two key principles. First, a basic quota allocates human resources among municipalities based on a defined calculation that considers the expected number of students for the upcoming school year and the standard class size. Each municipality receives the same amount of resources per student.
Second, a supplement based on a social index allows municipalities to receive additional human resources according to the socioeconomic and sociocultural composition of their students. This allocation considers factors such as family structure, household income, parents' employment status, and the students' linguistic context. Municipalities with a higher social index receive more resources to better meet their students' needs.
2. Education resources to schools
Support for Students with Special Needs
The Ministry of Education, Children and Youth oversees funding and coordination for the inclusion of students with special needs. It allocates state financing for operating costs, contracts with specialised service providers, and supports national competence centres and regional teams. The Ministry also invests in continuous system evaluation and recently established the Service national de l’éducation inclusive (SNEI) in 2023 to enhance inclusive education efforts. The laws of 2018 marked a significant set of reforms marking a shift towards inclusive education. Before this, provision was under the 1973 law on Special Schools (Instituts et services de l’éducation différenciée) and the 1994 law on integrated provision.
3. Education resources to students and families
Since 2006, students from low-income families attending public or private secondary schools following Luxembourg’s public education programmes may be eligible for financial assistance, subject to certain conditions. The first type of aid is an annual subsidy for low-income households, calculated based on household income and number of dependent children, is EUR 855.62 per student, with amounts ranging from EUR 646.13 to EUR 969.18. The second is a monthly school maintenance grant for adult students who are experiencing psychosocial distress, which helps cover living expenses and rent.
Back-to-School Allowance, Free Public Transportation and Textbooks
The Allocation de rentrée scolaire is paid automatically each August and requires no application. This universal allowance is set at EUR 115 for children over six years old and EUR 235 for those over twelve. Payments stop during the calendar year in which secondary education or its equivalent is completed.
Compulsory textbooks are provided free of charge. To promote responsible and sustainable use, students who opt for second-hand textbooks receive a voucher for school supplies.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The Allocation familiale is paid from the month of a child’s birth until they reach 18 years of age. If the child is in secondary education or an equivalent programme, the allowance may continue beyond 18. In 2023, the basic monthly family allowance was EUR 307.35, with 100% of eligible students benefiting from it. An age supplement of EUR 23.23 per month was added for children over six, and EUR 57.99 for those over twelve.
5. School meal programmes
Most school canteens in Luxembourg’s primary schools are managed by the municipalities, which are responsible for providing school meals. There is no national school meal programme for primary education.
In public primary education, school meals are provided as part of the ree non-formal education services offered by Maisons Relais and Foyers scolaires facilities.
Restopolis, established in 2005, is the government agency responsible for catering services in secondary and university education in Luxembourg. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth.
This profile was reviewed by Dr. Thomas Lenz.
