Tertiary Educational Institutions Unified Under New Bill

By Shermain Bique-Charles
[email protected]

The passing of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies bill 2025 is making major changes in the educational system in Antigua and Barbuda. 

This Bill provides for the establishment of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies as an institution of higher education and for teaching and training persons in Antigua and Barbuda in the fields of study offered by the institution to manage it. 

This means that effectively four tertiary institutions- the Antigua State College (ASC), Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT), Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) and the Harrison Centre Antigua and Barbuda School of Continuing Education (HCABSCE) will now fall under one institution.

Education Minister Daryll Matthew spoke on the importance of this consolidation, which will help enhance the education system, especially as the world moves forward in a highly technological direction.

“We really thought through how this amalgamation will work. We are at a unique place where we can start fresh,” Matthew said.

A Board will oversee this new college and shall comprise members appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Minister after consultation with relevant stakeholder bodies.

To safeguard the board’s independence, at least half of its members shall represent independent sectors and professional bodies appointed following a transparent nomination process by those sectors.

It is through that board that Presidents and Vice Presidents, the Registrar, and Campus Principals will be appointed for each campus, along with other staff, a disciplinary board, and an Academic Council.

“I dare say I can’t fathom any scenario where our existing principals would be removed and appoint someone else. You can be comforted that as you continue to manage the institutions, we expect you to do the fantastic jobs that you have been doing,” Matthew clarified.

St. Johns Rural West MP Richard Lewis shared his support for the bill and even suggested that an IT expert be apart of the selection committee that will appoint the new board.

His colleague and former educator, Kelvin Simon, MP for St. Mary’s South, also endorsed the bill.

“This bill will help to improve the number of citizens and residents we see attaining tertiary level degrees,” Simon added.
It will be a phased approach expected to be fully completed in three years.

Educational public drives will be conducted to inform people about how the body works and the updates regarding the new college.