The government of Antigua and Barbuda is actively exploring the possibility of providing tuition-free education for its citizens at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus. Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed that the administration is currently reviewing the proposal, which aligns with its ongoing efforts to support higher education accessibility.
Browne emphasized that the government already subsidizes a substantial portion of student expenses through existing scholarship programs. ‘Nearly every student attending UWI Five Islands benefits from government scholarships,’ he stated. ‘Given this, we are now discussing the feasibility of eliminating tuition fees entirely. Since we are already covering most costs, it makes sense to make university education completely free for our nationals.’
The Prime Minister highlighted that this initiative would reinforce the government’s dedication to broadening access to higher education and fostering sustainable national development. By removing financial barriers, the policy aims to empower more citizens to pursue advanced education, ultimately contributing to the country’s socio-economic progress.