分类： education

A planned safety drill at Jennings Secondary School in Antigua and Barbuda triggered unintended confusion and anxiety among community members last week, prompting school leadership to move quickly to reassure parents that all students remained unharmed throughout the exercise.

In an official statement distributed to all parents and guardians, Principal Rody Christopher explained the core purpose of the lockdown simulation: to equip students with critical response training that would help them stay calm and protected in the rare event of an unauthorized intruder gaining access to school grounds. “The school conducted this Lockdown Drill to make sure every student understands exactly how to stay safe if an intruder does enter our campus,” Christopher clarified in the notice.

Despite the drill being a pre-planned training activity, the principal acknowledged that a lack of clear advance communication for some community members led to widespread misunderstanding, with many fearing an active emergency was unfolding at the school. “Unfortunately, some persons misunderstood the situation, and that misunderstanding caused unnecessary confusion,” Christopher admitted.

To address rising concerns across parent groups, the principal issued a clear, direct reassurance that no actual threat or emergency ever existed at the campus during the drill. “Please be assured that all is well, and we have the best interest of your child or ward at the center of every decision we make around safety training,” he added.

The routine training exercise comes at a time when Antigua and Barbuda is ramping up its focus on campus safety and emergency preparedness across all public and private education institutions. The country’s Ministry of Education has been actively rolling out and expanding its Model Safe School Programme, a national initiative designed to proactively identify potential safety risks on campuses, boost institutional emergency response capacity, and ensure that both students and staff are fully trained to act quickly and correctly when any type of crisis occurs.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — At the 2026 matriculation ceremony held at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, one rising scholar stood out among hundreds: Errolyn Tonge, who earned the honor of the incoming class’s top matriculant, a title that carries with it the responsibility of representing 587 new, record-breaking students at the institution. As part of the longstanding campus tradition, Tonge was invited to sign the official matriculation register on behalf of her entire cohort, marking the formal start of the new academic year for the largest incoming group UWI Five Islands has ever welcomed.

In her introductory address ahead of the signing ceremony, University Registrar Dr. Camille Samuel painted a detailed portrait of Tonge’s academic and personal journey, framing her path as a testament to the power of curiosity and persistent effort. Born and raised in the Antiguan community of St. Paul to two self-employed entrepreneurial parents, Tonge developed an early instinct to question how systems and processes work, a trait that would fuel her academic and professional growth from secondary school through her pre-university studies.

Tonge first built her reputation for academic excellence at Antigua Girls’ High School, where she earned an exceptional number of passes on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and received national recognition for her standout results. She went on to pursue advanced post-secondary studies at Antigua State College, where she again earned top marks and graduated with high honors. Beyond raw intellectual talent, Dr. Samuel emphasized that Tonge’s consistent results have always been rooted in strong personal discipline, unwavering consistency, and relentless determination — qualities that have defined every area of her work and study.

Though Tonge’s early academic focus centered on the natural sciences, her interests gradually expanded to encompass a range of fields tied to modern innovation: strategic business development, operational management, product design, and digital systems. To complement her academic learning, Tonge actively pursued professional experience while completing her pre-university studies, gaining hands-on exposure to customer service, legal administration, and digital operations across multiple work placements. In every role, Dr. Samuel noted, Tonge distinguished herself not just by meeting the requirements of her position, but by proactively seeking ways to improve existing processes. She earned a reputation as a dependable high performer who thrives under pressure, takes initiative, and develops practical, effective solutions to complex challenges.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Tonge maintains a balanced personal life that aligns with her love of learning and creativity. Described by Dr. Samuel as a quiet strategic thinker, Tonge enjoys casual gaming, crocheting, and exploring emerging technology systems in her free time. She also prioritizes close personal connections and quality time spent with her family.

Today, Tonge is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Management program within UWI Five Islands’ School of Business and Management. Moving forward, she plans to combine her strong analytical skills, hands-on professional experience, and passion for technology to build a career focused on digital innovation. Her long-term goal is to lead technology-driven development projects and make a tangible contribution to the digital economic growth of Antigua and Barbuda.

Dr. Samuel told ceremony attendees that Tonge’s journey holds a valuable lesson for all incoming students: curiosity is more than a passive interest in learning, it requires the courage to ask critical questions, the discipline to investigate new solutions, and the determination to turn knowledge into tangible, positive change. The honor of top matriculant comes during a milestone year for UWI Five Islands, which marked the 2026 intake with a new institutional record for new student enrollment. Earlier in the ceremony, Samuel confirmed the campus had welcomed 587 first-year students, the highest incoming cohort size in the campus’s history.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, located in Antigua and Barbuda, has kicked off the 2026 academic year with a historic milestone: its largest incoming class in campus history, with 587 new students joining the institution’s community. The record-breaking intake was officially announced by campus Registrar Dr. Camille Samuel during the annual matriculation ceremony, a traditional event that formalizes new students’ entry into the university.

Dr. Samuel emphasized to the assembled incoming students that this record is an unprecedented achievement for the campus, marking the highest number of new students admitted since the Five Islands Campus was founded. The incoming cohort includes both first-time university entrants and adult learners returning to pursue higher education after time away from schooling. Moving beyond the simple act of enrollment, Dr. Samuel framed matriculation as the starting point of full integration into campus life, noting that admission alone does not automatically create a sense of belonging. She urged new students to engage actively with the campus community and take advantage of all the opportunities that the UWI Five Islands experience offers, rather than focusing exclusively on earning a degree.

“Enrolment is not belonging. You have to do a little bit more than just turn up,” Dr. Samuel told the class. She also prepared students for the realities of university life, acknowledging that their journey would include unforeseen challenges, moments of uncertainty, and periods of self-doubt. To ease these potential struggles, she reassured students that comprehensive support systems are in place across the campus, including specialized student retention services, academic advising, and leadership that is accessible to all attendees. Highlighting the unique character of the Five Islands Campus, Dr. Samuel described it as a close-knit learning environment that fosters direct, personal connections between administrators, faculty, and students.

Beyond individual academic growth, the university aims to equip graduates to contribute meaningfully to the development of Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region. Dr. Samuel encouraged students to prioritize attending classes, stay connected to university updates, and cultivate the core values that define a UWI graduate. This growing intake aligns with the Five Islands Campus’ ongoing expansion and strengthening of its role within the wider UWI system, which serves institutions across the Caribbean.

Campus Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson reminded new students that while they are studying at a campus based in Antigua and Barbuda, they are joining a regional university community that serves nearly 50,000 students across the Caribbean. “You don’t only join a campus in Antigua. You join the University of the West Indies,” Professor Robinson said. He highlighted that UWI is one of the Caribbean’s longest-standing and most influential regional institutions, and that this year’s incoming class is entering the campus at a pivotal moment for educational advancement in Antigua and Barbuda.

The matriculation ceremony concluded with formal formalities that cemented students’ place in the UWI community, including the recitation of the traditional academic vow by the entire incoming class. UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles formally recognized all students admitted to undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs who had met all program requirements as duly matriculated members of the campus. The ceremony also honored Errolyn Tong, a native of St. Paul, Antigua, as the top incoming student for the 2026 cohort. Tong, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management at the UWI Five Islands School of Business and Management, was selected to sign the official matriculation register on behalf of all new students, a symbolic act marking their formal entry into the university.

In closing, Dr. Samuel reiterated the significance of the historic intake, thanking all 587 students for selecting the Five Islands Campus to pursue their higher education. She framed the day as just the start of their lifelong connection to the UWI community, telling the assembled class: “This is just the beginning… you are now members of the university community for life.”

At the annual Thanksgiving Service hosted by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education, Education Minister Daryl Matthew has delivered a direct and impassioned appeal to young people across the nation, urging them to stand firmly against violence, foster a culture of mutual respect, and embrace greater personal responsibility for caring for their peers.

Matthew’s message to the nation’s youth was clear and concise: “Look out for one another. Stand against violence. Choose respect.” This call to action came as the ministry kicked off its 2026-2027 academic year under the overarching theme “Colouring Outside the Lines: Empowering and Transforming Students, Building Safer, Stronger Communities Together.”

Beyond addressing students directly, the minister emphasized that building safer, more resilient communities is a collective effort that cannot be shouldered by education authorities alone. He stressed that meaningful progress requires active engagement from schools, family households, local churches, government agencies, and every segment of the wider community. The Ministry of Education and individual campuses lack the capacity to create safe learning environments in isolation, he argued, making cross-sector collaboration non-negotiable.

At the core of Matthew’s address is the fundamental belief that every child has an inherent right to learn in a space where they feel secure on physical, mental, and emotional levels. “Every child in our country deserves to walk through the gates of a school and feel safe,” he stated. The minister expanded on this idea, noting that protecting youth means shielding them from bullying, pervasive fear, and other harmful societal pressures that can derail their development. When students feel safe, he explained, they are far better positioned to focus on learning and reach their full academic potential.

Matthew also issued a direct challenge to parents across the nation, urging them to move beyond passive involvement and take an active role in their children’s educational journeys. “I invite every parent to be a partner and not a spectator,” he said. Alongside this call for parental engagement, the minister also encouraged local churches and community organizations to partner with schools and offer mentorship opportunities to young people, guiding them through the challenges of growing up in an increasingly complex world.

Reflecting on what makes strong communities, Matthew argued that their foundation lies in intentional relationships and consistent, everyday investment in the lives of children. This includes teachers paying close attention to students who may be struggling with personal or academic challenges, neighbours checking in on at-risk youth, and parents prioritizing consistent presence in their children’s lives. “Strong communities produce strong children,” Matthew said, “and strong children ultimately become the leaders the country needs.” This closing remark framed the collective effort to build safe learning environments as an investment in Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term future, positioning today’s youth as tomorrow’s decision-makers and community builders.

A major milestone for open and distance learning in the Caribbean has been achieved, as the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus has been granted full institutional re-accreditation for an additional six-year term, extending its validated quality status through mid-2032. Per the official announcement from the campus’s Antigua and Barbuda branch, the new accreditation cycle will officially run from June 18, 2026, to June 17, 2032. This renewal comes as the institution prepared for the expiration of its prior accreditation, prompting a comprehensive re-evaluation process completed earlier this year. In a move that demonstrates its commitment to transparency and quality improvement, UWI voluntarily initiated an independent external peer review to assess its operations. The full review process includes an extensive internal self-evaluation conducted by the campus, followed by an on-site re-accreditation visit scheduled for March 2026. Previously known as the UWI Open Campus, the Global Campus holds its institutional accreditation through the Barbados Accreditation Council, the regional body responsible for upholding tertiary education quality standards across the area. Its first accreditation, awarded in 2019, covered a seven-year term that was set to conclude on June 17, 2026. Unlike program-specific accreditation that focuses on individual degrees, institutional accreditation conducts a holistic review of a tertiary institution’s governance structures, operational systems, and support services to confirm that the institution as a whole has the capacity to deliver programming and student support that meets or exceeds established regional quality benchmarks. For UWI, the re-accreditation process delivers more than just validation: it provides independent external confirmation that the campus’s operational quality aligns with international standards, while also highlighting targeted areas for future growth and enhancement. With physical regional hubs across dozens of Caribbean nations including Antigua and Barbuda, the UWI Global Campus distinguishes itself from traditional on-campus institutions by delivering the vast majority of its tertiary education coursework through flexible online and distance learning pathways, making higher education accessible to non-traditional students across geographically isolated island communities. In its public statement on the re-accreditation outcome, the Antigua and Barbuda campus emphasized that the successful renewal is a powerful reaffirmation of the entire Global Campus system’s unwavering commitment to delivering accessible quality education, upholding rigorous academic excellence, and pursuing continuous incremental improvement across all areas of operation. This recent achievement follows closely on the heels of a similar milestone for another UWI affiliate: the university’s Cave Hill Campus also secured re-accreditation through 2032 from the Barbados Accreditation Council in a recent decision, marking a period of successful quality validation across multiple UWI campuses.

In a landmark moment for youth STEM engagement and gender diversity in technical fields, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda officially hosted an all-girl team of young scientists and innovators this Wednesday, ahead of their upcoming participation in the FIRST Global STEM competition set to take place in South Korea.

Drawn from multiple secondary schools across the twin-island nation, the 14 to 16-year-old team members earned their spot on the national delegation through a government-funded annual STEM outreach initiative designed to cultivate creative problem-solving and early interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among secondary students. This year’s delegation carries particular significance: it is the country’s first all-female national team for the competition, marking a notable shift in participation trends in fields that have long been male-dominated globally.

During their visit to the Cabinet, the young innovators did not only introduce themselves to government officials and outline their distinct roles on the team — covering everything from mechanical engineering and software coding to robot operation — they also gave a full live demonstration of their custom-built competition robot, which the team has affectionately named “Hot Spill”.

Per the rules of the FIRST Global competition, all participating teams must build their robots from standard kit parts, and must complete a series of structured challenge tasks. For the core collection task, the Antigua and Barbuda team engineered a unique expandable collection mechanism that allows Hot Spill to gather more game pieces than a standard design, paired with an integrated lifting system that can deposit multiple pieces into the required target container at once, rather than one at a time. The robot is also being refined to complete the competition’s climbing challenge, with bonus points awarded for helping other competing robots complete the climb. Team members told Cabinet that ongoing testing and iterative modifications are still underway to optimize the robot’s performance ahead of the competition.

The national team was selected through the country’s annual government-supported STEM Camp, a free outreach program that opens access to STEM training for young people across Antigua and Barbuda. This year, 300 students took part in the camp, working in collaborative teams and competing in a series of skill assessments before the top performers were chosen to form the national delegation. The Antigua and Barbuda Board of Education has allocated roughly EC$30,000 to cover the team’s travel and competition costs, backing their participation on the global stage.

Cabinet members highlighted that this youth STEM initiative aligns with the government’s broader education strategy: to nurture a new generation of creative thinkers, problem-solvers and innovators equipped to tackle 21st-century challenges with science and technology. Government officials also emphasized that expanding access to STEM, innovation and financial literacy training creates critical pathways for young people to access higher education, launch their own entrepreneurial ventures, and secure high-skill future employment.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne joined all members of the Cabinet in congratulating the team on their achievement so far, praising the young women for their creativity, technical skill and confidence, and extending warm wishes for success as they prepare to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the international competition.