The youth division of Antigua and Barbuda’s ruling Labour Party has enthusiastically endorsed Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, characterizing it as a transformative educational investment strategy. The Central Youth for Labour (CYFL) has identified the allocation of $220.1 million to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries as the government’s clear commitment to establishing education as the cornerstone of national advancement.
This substantial financial commitment represents the largest ministerial allocation within the budget framework, signaling what the CYFL describes as the administration’s sustained dedication to enhancing educational accessibility. The youth organization emphasized that this strategic direction resonates with international movements advocating for inclusive, high-quality learning environments across developing nations.
Statistical evidence reveals remarkable progress in tertiary education participation, with enrollment at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus experiencing an eightfold increase—from merely 173 students in 2019 to an anticipated 1,403 by 2025. Despite these gains, the CYFL acknowledged persistent financial challenges facing families regarding examination fees and post-secondary educational expenses.
The budget introduces several groundbreaking initiatives including fully subsidized tuition at the Antigua & Barbuda College of Continuing Studies commencing 2026, complete government assumption of Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) fees, and an upcoming tuition-free program at UWI Five Islands following campus expansion completion.
Substantial infrastructure developments are underway at the university campus, featuring a $200 million expansion project that will incorporate advanced laboratories, modernized classrooms, enhanced athletic facilities, and expanded student accommodation. These improvements are projected to establish Antigua and Barbuda as an emerging center for Caribbean higher education.
The government’s comprehensive educational strategy extends beyond tertiary institutions, evidenced by the construction of the new Five Islands Primary School scheduled to open in January 2027. This demonstrates the administration’s holistic approach to educational enhancement spanning from early childhood development through university-level instruction.
Prime Minister Browne reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to broadening post-secondary educational access and equipping younger generations with essential skills required for national economic and social development.