The Caribbean Examinations Council has issued a strong commendation for Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to cover CXC examination fees, with the organization’s top official declaring the policy an exemplary model that will reshape educational access for generations.

Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC, praised the government’s initiative as a defining moment for Caribbean education. Speaking on behalf of the Chairman and Council, Wesley said the Ministry of Education, Sports and the Creative Industries has created “a sustainable pathway that will have a profoundly positive and lasting impact on the youth of Antigua and Barbuda, and by extension the entire society for generations to come.”

Wesley framed the fee waiver as directly advancing CXC’s core mission of “Igniting the Potential and Shaping the Future of our Caribbean People.” He emphasized that by expanding access to what he called “CXC’s world-class credentials to higher education and the world of work,” the government is fulfilling the examination body’s duty of care for the region.

The timing of the initiative, Wesley noted, is particularly crucial. “This decisive investment in education by Antigua and Barbuda comes at a time of profound change in the world. It is a huge step for inclusive education,” he said.

Under the new policy, the government will absorb all CXC examination costs for students in throughout the nation. For thousands of families, this eliminates a significant financial barrier that has historically determined which students could afford to sit for these internationally recognized qualifications.