In a surprise policy announcement made moments ago, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda will introduce fully funded free university education for its citizens starting as early as September 2026, bringing forward a long-promised reform that was originally tied to campus expansion work.
The free tertiary education program, which will be hosted at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, was initially scheduled to launch only after the institution completed its planned campus enlargement projects. But during a recent interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM, Browne revealed that updated conversations with the country’s Financial Secretary have cleared the way for an earlier rollout of the signature policy.
Under the new program, eligible Antiguan and Barbudan students will have the opportunity to earn multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely free of charge while studying locally. This includes the popular and high-demand law degree, opening up accessible pathways for students seeking to enter the legal profession without the burden of crippling tuition debt.
Beyond the immediate rollout of free university education, Browne also dropped a hint that the governing party is preparing more sweeping education reforms. Plans to expand free access to education across all levels of schooling will be outlined in greater detail in the party’s upcoming electoral manifesto, which is scheduled for official launch next week.
As this policy development is still unfolding, additional details about program eligibility, implementation logistics and broader education initiatives are expected to be released in the coming days.