Two dozen secondary school students across two institutions in Antigua and Barbuda are set to gain critical academic support ahead of their high-stakes regional examinations, after securing new scholarships from a continuing government initiative. The 20 recipients, drawn from Irene B. Williams Secondary School and All Saints Secondary School, will use the funding to access specialized supplementary learning resources to prepare for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, a key milestone for secondary students across the Caribbean region.
The renewal of the scholarship program was officially announced this Tuesday by Senator Lamin Newton, who emphasized that the initiative is tailored specifically to lift up students at both participating schools by removing barriers to additional exam preparation support. Unlike standard in-class instruction, the scholarships grant recipients full access to classes at The Learning Center, a dedicated educational facility where students will receive targeted supplementary teaching designed to reinforce their knowledge and build exam confidence ahead of test day.
In public remarks following the announcement, Newton framed investments in accessible education as among the most impactful long-term contributions a nation can make to its own future prosperity. He noted that community-focused programs like this scholarship scheme are intentionally designed to create equitable opportunities for young learners, enabling every student to unlock and develop their full academic potential regardless of their personal circumstances.
Offering personal congratulations to the selected students, Newton extended well wishes for their upcoming preparations, calling the CSEC examination an important milestone in each young scholar’s educational journey. “Congratulations to all 20 recipients. Wishing you every success as you prepare for this important milestone,” he said. Notably, Senator Newton has not yet released details regarding the total monetary value of the awarded scholarships, nor has he specified the exact length of time the supplementary academic support will be provided to recipients.