Independent Senator Jamilla Kirwan has expressed conditional support for the government’s newly announced education initiatives while emphasizing the critical need for long-term fiscal planning. During Wednesday’s Senate debate on the 2026 budget, Kirwan endorsed two significant measures: the full reimbursement of Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) fees and the expansion of free tuition at tertiary institutions including the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
The senator characterized these policies as substantial relief for families struggling with education costs and praised them as strategic investments in national human capital development. ‘These initiatives represent meaningful financial barrier reduction and demonstrate genuine commitment to educational accessibility,’ Kirwan stated in her parliamentary address.
However, the senator struck a cautionary note by referencing regional precedents where similar well-intentioned policies faced reversal due to fiscal constraints. Kirwan specifically cited the British Virgin Islands’ experience where CXC fee coverage was ultimately discontinued after sustainability concerns emerged. ‘Regional experiences underscore a vital consideration—generosity today must not transform into tomorrow’s financial burden,’ she warned.
Kirwan emphasized that expanded educational access creates both opportunity and responsibility, suggesting policymakers should develop structured funding models to ensure program viability as enrollment numbers increase. She particularly highlighted infrastructure requirements at expanding institutions, noting that adequate housing, support services and campus facilities must keep pace with growing student populations.
The senator clarified that her sustainability concerns should not be misinterpreted as opposition to the popular measures, but rather as advocacy for disciplined implementation with periodic reviews. ‘Maintenance and sustainability must remain central to policy design,’ she asserted, connecting education financing to broader principles of accountable public investment with clear funding mechanisms.
These education measures form part of the government’s comprehensive social investment package, with the education sector receiving the largest allocation in the 2026 budget proposal currently under parliamentary consideration.