Transforming education in Sao Tome and Principe

The government of Sao Tome and Principe developed an education sector plan, as well as an Educational Policy Charter 2012-2020 outlining priorities and strategies for the education sector. The final objective of the government is to provide 12 years of free, quality education to all children in the country, as well as offer higher and technical education opportunities.

In 2017, 93% of school-age children were enrolled in school, against 56% in 2008 (Education Sector Analysis, 2018). However, strong inequalities (location, special needs and gender) and the poor quality of education continue to be challenges that affect children and young people and the development of the country's human capital.

The Systematic Country Diagnosis carried out by the World Bank in 2021 indicates that almost a fifth of poor families (18.4%) had to withdraw their children from school due to their inability to pay the costs related to education.

With GPE support, Sao Tome and Principe is developing a new education sector plan and policy charter. The Draft Partnership Compact has an overarching focus on equity and inclusion within the more broadly scoped priority reform to “improve equity and inclusion in access and learning outcomes from pre-primary through secondary education including vocational technical education.”

The reform is organized into three outcome areas:

  • Outcome 1: learning and gender;
  • Outcome 2: access; and
  • Outcome 3: institutional capacity.

Result story

Sao Tome and Principe: School meals encourage children to return to school

In Sao Tome and Principe, school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have had far reaching impact on children beyond the direct disruption of daily schooling. They left many children who rely on schools for food security in a highly vulnerable situation. See how the country is working with partners like GPE to support programs that encourage children to return to school.

Grants

(data as of December 08, 2023)

  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2023 - 2025

    Allocation: US$699,652

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2021 - 2024

    Allocation: US$2,500,000

    Utilization: US$1,215,097

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: COVID-19

    Years: 2020 - 2022

    Allocation: US$750,000

    Utilization: US$747,119

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2019 - 2020

    Allocation: US$200,000

    Utilization: US$194,273

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Sector plan development

    Years: 2018 - 2019

    Allocation: US$476,086

    Utilization: US$476,086

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2014 - 2017

    Allocation: US$1,080,363

    Utilization: US$1,080,363

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2013 - 2014

    Allocation: US$195,168

    Utilization: US$195,168

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2009 - 2011

    Allocation: US$3,600,000

    Utilization: US$3,600,000

    Grant agent: WB

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