Education in São Tomé and Príncipe

Partner since:
Total grant support: US$9,501,269
Grant eligibility:
- Multiplier
- Girls' Education Accelerator
- System capacity
- System transformation
Partnership Compact
Partner since:
Total grant support: US$9,501,269
Grant eligibility:
Partnership Compact
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:
(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
Improve learning and school accountability in basic education and promote girls’ retention in secondary school.
Type: COVID-19
Years: 2020 - 2022
Allocation: US$750,000
Utilization: US$747,119
Grant agent: UNICEF
Support the continuity of quality learning, and the reopening of schools.
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
Improve the system of in-service teacher training and strengthen the management of human resources.
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
Improve the delivery of basic education services with a focus on greater equitable access, better quality and improved local governance of services.