Director of Education Shocked by Sudden Closure of St. Andrews Primary School
Director of Education, Clare Browne, expressed surprise at the abrupt announcement regarding the closure of St. Andrews Primary School, revealing that no one in the Ministry of Education had prior knowledge of the decision.
Teachers and parents were left stunned Friday after Andrea Walter, principal of St. Andrew’s School, notified staff that the school would be closing its doors with immediate effect. The abrupt announcement has sparked outrage and confusion, with many linking the closure to a long-standing dispute over unpaid wages and recent union involvement.
He emphasized the importance of communication within the educational community and indicated that the Education Officer responsible, Emil Michael, was only informed of the situation on Friday through a phone call from Principal Andrea Walter.
Browne mentioned that Walter and Michael are scheduled to meet on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the matter further.
In response to the school’s financial struggles, Browne noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the institution and acknowledged the efforts made by the management to keep the school operational despite significant challenges.
The Ministry is now exploring various options to potentially integrate St. Andrews into the public school system as a means to preserve its legacy and support the community it serves.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/06/10/director-of-education-shocked-by-sudden-closure-of-st-andrews-primary-school. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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