The Ministry of Finance has made payment of tuition fees for pupils in Pre-primary, Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in government and government-assisted schools for the first term of the 2022/2023 academic year.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has paid the sum of NLe53,521,960 as tuition fees for 2,206,137 pupils in 7,625 Government and Government- Assisted Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary School for the first term of the 2022/2023 academic year.

These payments have been made directly into the Bank Account of beneficiary schools based on the approved school’s list and enrolment data submitted by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Government restates its commitment to the implementation of its flagship programme; Free Quality School Education.

The Minister of Finance Mr Dennis Vandi said the government will continue its intentional efforts to support the education of the girl child and the implementation of the Radical Inclusion Policy; and continue to leverage science, technology and innovation in the education sector and implement Phase II of the Education Innovation Challenge (EIC).

“While we are implementing economic policies to cope with the multiple and overlapping crises,”
the Government is still committed to undertaking investments in human capital development that will increase the future productivity of our citizens. These include continuing to support the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme, strengthening technical and higher education, improving primary health care and expanding social safety nets to mitigate the impact of the crises on the vulnerable population,” he said.

According to the Minister, since 2018, Government has spent NLe4.1 billion on basic education and mobilised more than US$140.0 million for the sector, noting that the outcomes at pre-primary, primary and secondary levels are increased enrolment, transition and completion rates.

He said the government has mobilised additional financing of US$12.0 million from the World Bank for the FREE Education Project to scale up interventions under the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Programme, including the school feeding programme and hygiene pads for girls;