Central Youth for Labour Praises People-Centred Budget with Strong Focus on Education

The Central Youth for Labour (CYFL), the youth arm of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, proudly commends Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for delivering a truly people-centred 2026 Budget, one that places education at the heart of national development.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 calls for “inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Some may say it is by coincidence that this Budget aligns so closely with that mandate. But the CYFL knows better. This is not by chance; it is a direct manifestation of Prime Minister Browne’s long-standing vision for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

With $220.1 million allocated to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, the largest allocation of any ministry, his Budget confirms that education is not only a priority, but a central pillar of the Government’s agenda for “People-Centred Growth and Development.” Education is, and has always been, a catalyst for social mobility, empowerment, and national progress.

The results of this commitment are already visible. The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus has expanded from 173 students in 2019 to 1,403 in 2025, demonstrating the increasing demand for accessible, high-quality tertiary education at home. Every year, more young people excel academically, earning 18, 20, even 23 CSEC subjects. Yet the reality remains that many families struggle to meet the rising cost of educational advancement.

This is why the CYFL welcomes, with great enthusiasm, the Prime Minister’s landmark announcements:

These measures underscore the Government’s responsiveness, the willingness to listen, act, and remove barriers that stand between young people and their dreams.

In addition, the CYFL applauds the significant transformation underway at UWI Five Islands. The introduction of new programmes; including a BSc in Software Engineering, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Food and Agriculture Programme, positions Antigua and Barbuda as an emerging hub for regional higher education. Combined with a $200 million campus expansion, featuring new laboratories, classrooms, a modern gym, a sporting complex, a multipurpose auditorium, and expanded student housing, our nation is poised to attract students from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Importantly, the Budget’s focus on education extends beyond tertiary learning. The CYFL celebrates the Government’s investment in the next generation through the construction of the new Five Islands Primary School, scheduled for completion in January 2027. This initiative provides modern, inclusive learning spaces for young children in surrounding communities, and stands as a testament to the Government’s holistic approach to education, from early childhood to university.

As Prime Minister Browne eloquently stated: “Our mission is unwavering: to provide easy access to post-secondary and university education; to equip the next generation with the skills, confidence, and creativity to shape the Antigua and Barbuda of tomorrow.”

For this vision, and the concrete policies driving it forward, the Central Youth for Labour offers the highest commendation. We encourage citizens at home and across the diaspora to seize these opportunities and continue building a brighter future for our beloved nation.