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)
The official entrance age to pre-primary education as of 2024 is 5 years old. In 2023, legal frameworks granted one year of free pre-primary education. UIS data indicate that the net enrolment rate for pre-primary education for both sexes in 2025 is 61.17%. The number of years of compulsory pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks is not available.
Governance
Under Executive Decree n 94-265 and Law 08-04-2008, the Ministry of Education is responsible for the financing, organisation, and regulation of pre-primary education. However, only the preparatory class is attached to the Ministry of Education. Its funding is not specific to pre-school education; it comes from the primary school budget, as the preparatory class is integrated into it administratively and pedagogically. The remainder of preschool education is offered by other providers (private, religious, community-based) and is not organised or funded by the Department for Education.
Tuition-free status
Public pre-primary education is tuition-free according to national laws and policies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The government, through the Ministry of Education, allocates financial resources for education, including pre-primary education, to wilayas and municipalities. However, the precise mechanisms for intergovernmental transfers, including whether they incorporate equity considerations, are not available.
2. Education resources to institutions
There are no government subsidies allocated to public pre-primary institutions targeting equity.
3. Education resources to students and families
There are no financial support mechanisms for pre-primary education.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
School transport in Algeria is governed by Executive Decree No. 2015-171, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport. According to the decree, local authorities (municipalities) provide school transport for pupils attending educational establishments directly or through agreements with public passenger transport operators, in accordance with current legislation.
This profile was reviewed by Rosa Mahdjoub, consultant in education.
