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 Nauru, the education system is centrally managed and financed by the Department of Education, which allocates resources directly to schools. Funding is determined on a per-student basis. The Department oversees three primary schools, comprising two public institutions and one Catholic school primarily supported through public funding, as well as two secondary schools and a school serving students with disabilities. Personnel costs consume the largest share of the Department of Education’s budget.
The country relies heavily on foreign aid and international partnerships to support critical educational programmes. The Development Fund Act 2011 established a Development Fund to facilitate and sustain the financing of development projects across Nauru. Depending on the nature of expenditures, public funds are drawn either from the national budget or the Development Fund. The national budget, largely underpinned by phosphate mining royalties, fishing licences, and external aid, finances government operations, public services, and infrastructure projects, while the Development Fund is dedicated to long-term economic and social development initiatives. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for preparing and overseeing both the annual National Budget and the Development Fund Annual Projections.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Nauru has a centralised governance structure with no subnational governments. All education financing decisions are made at the schools, which receive funding directly from the central government.
2. Education resources to schools
Schools receive funding directly from the central government based on a per-student allocation for operating and personnel expenses. No further detailed information on mechanisms for allocating resources to schools was found.
Able Disable Centre
The Able Disable Centre was established in 2002 to provide education for students with disabilities. It is funded and administered by the Department of Education. The centre promotes inclusive education and skill development, supporting people with disabilities to gain independence and participate in society. Programmes include life skills training, basic education, and recreational activities, ensuring equitable access to learning and engagement in co-curricular activities.
3. Education resources to students and families
Education Assistance Trust Scheme
The Nauru Education Assistance Trust Scheme (NEATS) is a Department of Education initiative established under the Nauru Education Assistance Trust Act 2016 to support student completion rates. It is funded by the Nauru Education Assistance Trust Fund, which provides financial entitlements to eligible students. These benefits are disbursed either upon completion of Year 12 or when the student reaches 18 years of age. The scheme encourages school attendance and completion by offering financial incentives based on attendance and other eligibility criteria.
Back-to-School Scheme
The Government of Nauru launched the Back-to-School Scheme in 2020 to increase school attendance by removing financial barriers. Funded by the Department of Education and administered jointly with Social Welfare Services, the programme operates under the 2011 Education Act, the 2016 Child Protection and Welfare Act, and the 2017 Inclusive Education Policy and Guidelines. It provides an annual cash transfer to enrolled Nauruan students aged 4–18, contingent on maintaining at least 80% attendance in the preceding term. Payments are made directly to parents or guardians following verification of enrolment and attendance by the Department of Education and Social Welfare Services, supporting the purchase of uniforms, shoes, and other school-related items.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The government of Nauru operates seven main social protection programmes: the birth benefit, death benefit, Back-to-School payment, Education Assistance Trust Scheme, School Feeding Programme, Disabled Benefit, and Aged Benefit. The education-focused programmes, the Back-to-School payment, Education Assistance Trust Scheme, and School Feeding Programme, are discussed in sections 3 and 5 of this profile. There are no other targeted social assistance schemes for students.
5. School meal programmes
Nauru’s School’s Feeding Programme, implemented by the Department of Education, provides cooked school lunches to children in public primary and secondary schools on every school day. Initially launched as a privately funded initiative in 2013, the government assumed responsibility for its operation in 2014. The programme now serves the majority of public-school students. Meal providers are required to comply with the Nauru School Food Guidelines, which align with the 2018 Pacific Guidelines for Healthy Living. Food and nutrition education is also incorporated into the national curriculum through subjects such as general sciences, biology, and physical education in primary grades, supporting the promotion of healthy eating habits among students.
This profile was reviewed by Dr Angela Page, Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle.
