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)
In Guinea-Bissau, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is three years old. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was last measured in 2010 at 4.32%.
The Guide to Minimum Criteria for the Operation of Preschool Services states that kindergartens are for ages 3-5 while pre-schools are for children from 5-6. According to UNICEF data in 2018, enrolment of five-year-olds in pre-school was at 27.1% and 14.3% for those below five.
Governance
The Ministry of National Education (MEN) is responsible for all cycles of education in Guinea-Bissau. The MEN determines the budget and is responsible for the distribution of funds and resources. In 2014, the Preschool Education Directorate was set up in the MEN. Three years later, the ministry created the Preschool Inspection Directorate. Additionally, the Local Group on Preschool and Early Childhood Education (GLEPI) has brought together people from the MEN, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development agencies and bilateral cooperation.
There are three main types of preschools: public, private, and community-based. According to the 2010 Basic Education Law of Guinea-Bissau, pre-school education includes public and private entities. The state is responsible for creating and maintaining pre-schools as well as providing support to private pre-schools and community-based pre-schools. Private preschools accommodate the majority of school-aged children in cities.
Tuition-free status
There is no information available regarding the number of years of free pre-primary education granted in legal frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
As established by the 2010 Basic Education Law of Guinea-Bissau, the ministry must promote an adequate policy of decentralisation and deconcentration. The ministry has a central structure and 11 regional delegations. The regional directorates of education are in charge of implementing the education policy at the local level. However, the decentralisation of financial responsibilities to regional directorates and schools is still lacking. No information was found regarding the equitable transfer of resources to subnational governments.
2. Education resources to institutions
A bit more than half of all preschool establishments are privately managed, and about a quarter are community-managed. Families pay tuition in more than 90% of establishments. Public resources are allocated 97% to staff salaries.
According to the 2017-2025 Education Sectoral Plan of Guinea-Bissau (ESP), national goals called for the development of pre-primary school in rural areas and regions with the lowest primary school completion rates. The ESP also calls for the gradual financial support of community-based preschool education. Funds will be used to cover the staff fees. This measure will be implemented gradually while prioritising rural areas.
3. Education resources to students and families
The 2017-2025 Education Sectoral Plan of Guinea-Bissau plans for measures to reduce family contributions to the operation of existing public kindergartens in order to improve access for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
There is no national social assistance programme for poor or vulnerable people or families in Guinea-Bissau to help promote pre-primary education.
