Education in São Tomé and Príncipe
![Girls run through the streets in Sao Tome and Principe. Credit: Unicef São Tomé and Principe](https://assets.globalpartnership.org/s3fs-public/styles/hero_stories/public/2023-08/39_sao-tome-e-principe2020_tremeau_0k6a8435-denoiseai-standard.jpg?VersionId=KYWRqoczLFs7A1ue1JNwDxNHVUnrtjIt&itok=9vCPbgQW)
Partner since:
Total grant support: US$9,697,388
Grant eligibility:
- Multiplier
- Girls' Education Accelerator
- System capacity
- System transformation
Partnership Compact
Partner since:
Total grant support: US$9,697,388
Grant eligibility:
Partnership Compact
São Tomé and Príncipe has improved school enrollment, with 93% of school-age children enrolled in 2017 compared to 56% in 2008. However, strong inequalities (location, special needs and gender) and the poor quality of education continue to be challenges that affect children and the development of the country's human capital.
An analysis by the World Bank in 2021 indicates that almost a fifth of poor families (18%) had to withdraw their children from school due to their inability to pay the costs related to education.
The government is working with GPE and other partners to strengthen the education system to improve quality and equity in learning. As outlined in São Tomé and Príncipe's Partnership Compact, the curriculum will be updated to include gender-responsive and inclusive pedagogy and emphasize development of socioemotional and digital skills. New teaching and learning materials will support curriculum implementation.
Efforts to reduce education barriers for vulnerable children include exempting poorer families and girls from having to pay school tuition fees and implementing programs to mitigate learning loss and school dropout.
Better education system data and monitoring will help improve management of financial, human and material resources, which is critical to São Tomé and Príncipe achieving the large-scale change needed to deliver quality education to all children.
(data as of May 09, 2024)
Type: Program development
Years: 2024
Allocation: US$199,000
Utilization: 0
Grant agent: WB
Type: System capacity
Years: 2023 - 2025
Allocation: US$699,652
Utilization: US$248,793
Grant agent: UNICEF
Type: Program implementation
Years: 2021 - 2024
Allocation: US$2,500,000
Utilization: US$1,731,795
Grant agent: WB
Improve learning and school accountability in basic education and promote girls’ retention in secondary school.