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)
UIS data indicate that the official entrance age to pre-primary school is 3 years as of 2024. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary education for both sexes was 98.63% in 2024. Pre-primary education is not compulsory.
Governance
There are three parallel public education systems in Andorra at the pre-primary level: 1) the Andorra system, 2) the Spanish system, and 3) the French system. The government of Andorra finances the Andorran system as well as Spanish congregational schools. The remaining Spanish and French schools are financed by Spain and France respectively. This profile covers the Andorran system supported by Andorran public funds.
Article 7 of the Decree on pre-primary education (1996) and the 2024 fiscal year budget assign responsibility for expenditures related to pre-primary education to the Ministry of Education, which allocates and oversees the corresponding funds. Pre-primary education in Andorra is financed through the national education budget administered by the ministry.
Tuition-free status
Public pre-primary education cover ages 3-6 and is tuition-free starting at age 3.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no financing mechanisms that transfer funds from the central government to local governments for public or private pre-primary education.
2. Education resources to institutions
There are no government subsidies allocated to public pre-primary institutions with equity-targeted funding. However, the government provides financial aid directly to students and families.
3. Education resources to students and families
Under Article 9 of Law 10/2021 on Study Grants, the Ministry of Education offers financial aid for families and students enrolled in pre-primary education (educació maternal) and other compulsory education levels. To be eligible, applicants must meet the economic, family, and academic criteria established annually by the ministry, including proof of residence in Andorra, regular school attendance, and compliance with income thresholds that determine eligibility for different types of grants. The programme provides six forms of support—materials, school transport, school meals, maintenance, extracurricular skiing, and tuition grants—which can be combined, except for the meal and maintenance grants, which are mutually exclusive.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
There are no social policies with an educational component offered by the Ministry of Social Affairs in Andorra; all support for pre-primary education is managed exclusively by the Ministry of Education.
This profile was reviewed by Alexandra Monné Bellmunt, Professor at the University of Andorra.
