Education Investment & Advocacy TF RENCP GA 30 th October 2015

 In April 2015, Save the Children completed an Investment in Children Analysis, including a specific analysis of financing in the education sector.  In September 2015 the EI&A TF decided to have the analysis updated based on the 2015/2016 Education Budget  The consultant updating the analysis is also developing a deeper analysis on the education spending at District level. This was due to concerns about the pattern of education spending per student at District level

Updated Report Findings:  Education sector has seen strong increases in its budget year on year up to 2014/2015  However, the % share of the national budget has fallen from 21.3% (2006) to 12.3% (2015/16)  In 2015/16 the education budget also suffered its first cut in absolute value terms, declining by 8% from the previous years allocation.  There are areas where budget allocation appears to be inequitable; de-prioritisation of primary is especially concerning in light of the rising drop out and repetition rates shown in the recent statistics. Spending on quality education has also been reduced. Pre Primary spending is lagging behind ESSP commitments.  Continuing high levels of spending on higher education despite ESSP ambition to reduce this (Higher education was allocated 19% of the budget while benefiting only 1% of learners).

EI&A TF has been developing priority advocacy areas and strategy based on these findings: #1 Increased national funding allocated to education, with a minimum target of 20% of the national budget #2 Greater equity in education funds allocated across districts, with an aim at establishing a more equitable quality of education in the most disadvantaged areas #3 Improvement in the collection, access to and reporting of education data in terms of quality, range, disaggregation and timeliness

#4 Increased direct funding for quality related issues in basic education, with a minimum target of a 50% increase within the education budget. #5 Reprioritised spending for the primary level of education, with a minimum target of a combined percentage of 40% of the education budget for 9YBE. #6 Access to quality Early Childhood Education is treated as a basic right that is fee-free for the poorest of families

For each of these priorities the TF is developing an advocacy strategy for action. (#3 presented here)

In view of the upcoming JRES some important issues/opportunities for advocacy in this area are:  Review and re-prioritisation of budget allocations for this financial year. In particular;  Review of District education budget allocation and expenditure. budget allocation to basic education (pre-primary and primary) budget spending on quality related issues