Foreign Students Face Three-Year Private-School Requirement Under New Admissions Policy

Most foreign students will be required to attend a registered private school in Antigua and Barbuda for three consecutive academic years before they can apply for admission to a public school under a new policy approved by Cabinet.

Students from eligible Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States member countries will be exempt from the requirement.

The policy was presented by Education Minister Daryll Matthew as the Government seeks to manage growing pressure on classroom space, teachers, educational materials, student-support services and school infrastructure.

Completing the three-year period will not automatically guarantee a place in a public school.

Admission will remain dependent on available space, the student’s age and educational level, lawful immigration status, satisfactory documentation and compliance with Ministry of Education procedures.

Attendance at the private school must also be verified through official records from an institution registered with the ministry.

The policy will apply only to future applicants. Foreign students already attending public schools when the measure takes effect will be allowed to remain, provided they maintain lawful immigration status and satisfy the usual attendance requirements.

The Ministry of Education will announce the policy’s effective date and publish guidelines explaining how it will be administered.

Cabinet has also approved a limited review process for exceptional cases involving humanitarian, child-protection or wider public-interest considerations.

Government officials said the mechanism is intended to protect children whose circumstances may require special consideration.

The Ministry of Education advised Cabinet that increasing applications from foreign students have contributed to overcrowding and placed additional demands on the public education system.

Cabinet also stated that payment of the Education Levy does not automatically entitle a child to a place in a government school. According to the Government, the levy does not cover the full cost of operating and expanding the public school system.

The Attorney General’s Chambers will review the new policy before it is implemented to ensure that it is consistent with the Constitution, the Education Act, immigration laws, OECS arrangements and the country’s regional and international obligations.

The policy will be assessed after three years, or earlier if necessary, to determine its effect on enrolment, expenditure, school capacity and access to education.

Cabinet insisted that the measure is not intended to deny children an education, noting that affected students will still be able to attend registered private schools during the qualifying period.