The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally approved a significant financing agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to fund a sweeping national education enhancement initiative. The landmark decision, announced by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant following a Cabinet briefing, authorizes Education Minister Daryl Matthew to execute the loan arrangement for what officials characterize as a transformative educational quality improvement project.
This strategic investment represents a substantial commitment to strengthening the educational framework’s quality, resilience, and inclusiveness nationwide. The comprehensive initiative will channel resources into multiple critical areas including infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, advanced teacher training programs, and systemic educational reforms.
The project, designated as the Education Enhancement and Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP), builds upon the demonstrated successes of the soon-to-conclude Basic Education Project II scheduled for completion in June. The previous initiative delivered measurable improvements through school rehabilitations, facility expansions, and substantive teacher development programs alongside policy reforms.
EQUIP will specifically target major infrastructure expansions and rehabilitation works at four educational institutions: Antigua Girls’ High School, Ottos Comprehensive School, Richards Academy, and Golden Grove Primary School. These developments will collectively add over 93,000 square feet of enhanced learning space to the nation’s educational infrastructure.
Beyond physical improvements, the project encompasses the procurement of modern furniture and equipment alongside specialized teacher training in critical areas including special education, mathematics, sciences, modern languages, and technical/vocational education. This multidimensional approach aims to sustainably advance educational outcomes while expanding upon previous achievements in Antigua and Barbuda’s academic sector.