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 Equatorial Guinea, the official entrance age to pre-primary education was 4 years old as of 2007. Previously, the official entrance age was set at 3 years old. The most recent net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was measured in 2015 at 24.09%.
Governance
The management of early childhood education is conducted by the General Directorate of Preschool and Primary Education within the Ministry of Education and Science (MEC).
Tuition-free status
The 2007 Education Law (Ley General de Educación no. 5/2007) mandated free pre-school education. Infant education is from 1-3 years old, and preschool education is for 4-6 years old.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No information was found regarding public funding mechanisms for transferring funds from the central government to local governments for public and private pre-primary education.
2. Education resources to institutions
Although there are a higher number of public preschool institutions (547 Public, 214 Private), more students are enrolled in private institutions (17.5k in Public, 24.5k enrolled in private). The government provides a “childcare grant,” though it is unclear where the funds are applied. According to a 2017 report by the World Bank, it was estimated that of the total capital amount for education from 2008-2015, 21% went towards the expansion and improvement of facilities in preschool.
The 2007 Education Law (Ley General de Educación no. 5/2007) states that any private education center may request financial assistance from the state. Every educational center must follow the guidelines established to become a state-subsidized educational center, which include providing totally or partially free education.
The 2025 PEDS calls for the creation of a state-run administration which is responsible for providing schools with funds so that they may provide tuition-free education. 55 million has been budgeted for this implementation. The plan also aims to prioritise the outskirts of cities for the construction of new preschools.
3. Education resources to students and families
Information was not found.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
In 2023, the Senate discussed a Draft Law on Social Protection aimed at safeguarding social cohesion and improving the quality of life for vulnerable citizens. Equatorial Guinea continues to develop its non-contributory social protection system.
In 2025, the Finance Ministry of Equatorial Guinea and UNICEF signed an agreement in a joint effort to improve the protection and well-being of children and adolescents in Equatorial Guinea. It aims to strengthen collaboration in key areas related to the protection of the rights of children and adolescents, particularly in situations of vulnerability.
The 2025 PEDS programme provided 900,000,000 (2023-2025) to provide annual educational aid packages single-parent families, large families, orphans.
