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 Macao, China, education funding is centrally managed by the Education Fund, a public legal entity operating under the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ). The Fund was created by merging the Student Welfare Fund, the Education Development Fund, and the Higher Education Fund, granting it administrative and financial autonomy while functioning within the DSEDJ.
The Education Fund distributes subsidies directly to schools and provides grants and benefits to students. This includes free education subsidies for schools in the free education network and tuition fee support for students at other eligible schools. The DSEDJ processes applications, ensures disbursement, and monitors the use of funds to guarantee that both institutions and individual learners benefit effectively.
The DSEDJ oversees all aspects of education in Macao, including policy development, implementation evaluation, and financial planning for institutions and continuing education providers. It also administers student welfare programmes. The centralised funding system supports projects and activities that enhance educational quality, strengthen students’ skills and competitiveness, and provide targeted financial assistance to learners. All non-profit private schools following the local curriculum are eligible for support under this framework.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Allocation of funds is managed entirely at the Macao Special Administrative Region level, with no participation from lower-level or subnational authorities.
2. Education resources to schools
Free Tuition Subsidy
The government provides free tuition subsidies to non-profit private schools that participate in the free education school system. For the 2023/2024 academic year, free education subsidies per class are 1,159,100 patacas for primary, 1,396,800 patacas for junior secondary, and 1,584,300 patacas for senior secondary. Tuition fee subsidies per student are 23,140 patacas for primary, and 25,480 patacas for both junior and senior secondary students.
Additional Subsidies Based on Teacher Numbers
Schools receive extra funding depending on the average number of teaching staff per class. Tiered rates are applied for kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels. For example, kindergarten classes with 1.5–1.7 teachers receive 75,200 patacas per class, while those with more than 1.9 teachers receive 225,600 patacas. Schools offering small or special education classes have a lower threshold of 1.2 teachers per class, allowing access to additional subsidies with fewer staff.
School Development Plan (學校發展資助計劃)
Introduced by the Education Fund in 2022, the School Development Plan provides grants for school development projects, including building construction, repair, and equipment purchases. Funding ranges from MOP 45,000 to 750,000 (USD 5.6k–93.7k), with larger projects eligible for private support. Schools may receive up to MOP 9 million (USD 1.12 million) for building construction or repair and MOP 3 million (USD 340k) for each thematic area.
Special and Inclusive Education Funding
Within the School Development Plan, special and inclusive education are designated themes. Funding supports appropriate education for students with special needs, including subsidies for special education teachers, inclusive education programmes, and school meals for students with disabilities. Subsidies for special education classes are calculated based on class size and aim to promote student learning, facilitate school adaptation, and reduce parental burden.
3. Education resources to students and families
Student Financial Assistance
The Education Fund provides tuition assistance, meal allowances, and school supplies subsidies to students from economically disadvantaged families to help cover study costs while supporting their health. Eligible applicants must hold a valid Macao SAR Resident Identity Card and be enrolled in a non-higher education school under the formal education system or a recurrent education programme. The scheme has been in place since the 2009/10 academic year.
Applications are submitted to the DSEDJ as a family unit. Beneficiary eligibility is determined using student registration data, family size, and financial resources, including average monthly income and total bank deposits. For instance, the maximum average monthly income ranges from 6,530 patacas for a single-member household to 30,410 patacas for households of eight or more. Maximum total bank deposits allowed range from 78,300 patacas for one-person households to 364,860 patacas for households of eight or more. Approved subsidies are paid to schools, which then distribute the funds to the students.
For early childhood and primary education, students may receive up to MOP 4,000 in tuition assistance, MOP 3,950 for meals, and MOP 2,600 for school supplies. For lower secondary students, tuition assistance is up to MOP 6,000, and for high school students, up to MOP 9,000. Meal allowances remain MOP 3,950 for both levels, while school supplies allowances are MOP 3,350.
Assistive Technology Subsidy Scheme
Since 2024, the Fund has implemented the Assistive Technology Subsidy Scheme for students with special educational needs. Eligible students must hold a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card and a “Disability Assessment Registration Card” from the Social Welfare Bureau. The scheme provides financial support for essential assistive devices, such as hearing aids, special chairs, and wheelchairs. The subsidy amount is determined by family income, savings, and the social status of the student and legal guardian.
Textbook and School Supplies Allowances
All students enrolled in formal education stages in Macao and holding resident status are eligible for additional support. Textbook allowances are MOP 3,000 for primary students, and MOP 3,550 for secondary students. School supplies subsidies are MOP 1,450 for primary students, and MOP 1,700 for secondary students.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
No information was found.
5. School meal programmes
The Education Fund provides meal subsidies to reduce the cost burden for students from low-income families and ensure access to balanced, nutritious meals. Applications for meal support are submitted together with tuition and school supplies assistance. Eligible students receive a meal allowance of MOP 3,950 (USD 495) per academic year.
Additionally, schools can apply for funding to provide breakfast and lunch specifically for special education students. Meals are served for 200 days per year, with an allocation of MOP 12 (USD 1.50) per student per day for breakfast and MOP 30 (USD 3.75) per student per day for lunch.
This profile was reviewed by Yisu Zhou, Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at Duke Kunshan University, and by Angus Kuok, Associate Professor at the University of Saint Joseph, Macao, China.
