Education Minister Daryll Matthew says establishing the new Five Islands Primary School marks a pivotal moment in the education trajectory in Antigua and Barbuda, highlighting a significant investment in the nation’s future.

He made that disclosure during Monday’s ground-breaking ceremony, saying that this moment indicates that the Gaston Browne administration views education as fundamental to the country’s development strategy.

Matthew underscored this commitment, expressing pride in being part of a government that prioritizes the educational needs of the youth.

Substantial investments have been directed towards upgrading educational facilities over the past three years, focusing on creating opportunities for children that are essential for the nation’s progress.

“Over the past three years, we have made unprecedented investments in our schools, because we know that the future of our nation depends on the opportunities we create for our children,” he said

Meanwhile, Senator Michael Joseph, an alumnus of the current Five Islands Primary School, echoed the importance of this new development.

Emphasizing that the school’s infrastructure is more than just physical buildings, he noted that such educational investments are crucial for nurturing young minds in a supportive environment that encourages creativity and critical thinking.

And Richard Lewis, the parliamentary representative for the area, further highlighted the transformative potential of this project. He envisions Five Islands becoming an educational hub and urged community members to seize the entrepreneurial and job opportunities arising from the expansion of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

The current site of the primary school is set to be demolished to facilitate this shift, making way for the anticipated US$80 million expansion of the UWI FIC, which promises new dormitories, classrooms, lecture theaters, and sporting facilities.

As the community celebrates this groundbreaking initiative, the shared vision for future generations is one of empowerment and opportunity, with a robust educational foundation at its core.