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 Guinea-Bissau, the education funding system is largely centralised, with the Ministry of Education responsible for managing the overall budget. Although administrative responsibilities are delegated to 11 Regional Education Directorates, schools do not receive operating budgets directly from the government. Instead, most education funds are allocated centrally, primarily covering salaries. Schools have limited financial autonomy, but some at the secondary level can generate and manage income through school fees, a portion of which supports school operations via a social fund (Fundo Social de Apoio Escolar). Budget planning at the school level is minimal, and the flow of funds is top-down from the central ministry to regions and then schools, with little decentralised control over operational funds at the school level.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No information was found on mechanisms for transferring funds from the central government to local governments that consider equity.
2. Education resources to schools
The National Strategic Plan for Inclusive Education in Guinea-Bissau 2022-2028 states that the General Directorate for Inclusive Education will coordinate a national mapping of students with special education needs, develop a guide for teacher training programmes, and conduct training for professionals in schools. However, there is no mention of resources allocated for this initiative.
3. Education resources to students and families
Law 4/2011 (Framework Law of the Education System) mentions School Social Action (Acção Social Escolar) services, which apply positive discrimination criteria to support the most economically deprived students through actions such as reimbursement for canteen services, textbooks, school materials, scholarships, and grants. However, no information was found on the allocation of resources to these initiatives.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
According to the National Social Protection Policy (2024), there is no national social assistance programme for poor or vulnerable people or families, though several small-scale social cash transfer projects have been implemented in recent years.
5. School meal programmes
Programa de Cantina Escolar (School Canteen Programme)
The School Canteen Programme, started in 1992 with support from the World Food Programme, has been mostly funded by external donors. Decree Law 1/2019 regulates the programme. According to the National Social Protection Policy (2024), school canteens help improve attendance, retention, nutrition, and learning. They benefit about half of pupils in preschool and the first two cycles of basic education. In some second cycle schools, girls in 5th and 6th grade receive a monthly rice ration to discourage dropout and early marriage. However, funding relies almost entirely on foreign aid.
This profile was reviewed by Alex Eble, Associate Professor of Economics and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.
