Antigua and Barbuda is a small, two-island Caribbean country that became an independent state within the British Commonwealth in 1981. In 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed most of Barbuda, whose population evacuated to Antigua. Antigua is now home to approximately 97% of the population of 102,634, 75% of which is rural. 

Antigua and Barbuda is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), a classification recognized by the U.N. in 1992. Equal to less than 1% of the world’s population, SIDS are typically geographically remote and deal with unique social, economic and environmental challenges. Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is primarily reliant on tourism.  In addition, several marine economic sectors, including fishing, maritime transport, water management and mineral extraction, contribute a very small percentage of the country’s GDP.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Education System

Antigua and Barbuda’s free and compulsory education (established in 1973) covers primary school (grades 1-7, ages 5-12) and secondary school (grades 8-12, through age 16.). An education levy on all basic wages covers all costs, including infrastructure, class materials and transportation. In addition, the country has three small colleges and the University of Health Sciences, which trains medical practitioners who serve in the islands. Antigua State College offers a variety of courses, including home management, office management, agriculture, electronics and refrigeration. Adult training is provided through the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies. The World Bank (and various other sources) reports 99% literacy for 2001, although more recent statistics are not available. 

In the 1980s, the government invested in education infrastructure, including the renovation of primary and secondary school facilities, in addition to larger classrooms for vocational and nonformal programs. In 2010, the country initiated the “child-friendly school” concept, which quickly expanded to 60% of the primary and secondary public schools. The CFSs promote practices and behaviors “designed to help children realize their right to a basic education of good quality.” 

The Education Act, 2008 outlines the framework and basic administration of Antigua and Barbuda’s education system, responsibilities of the Minister of Education and Director of Education, rights and responsibilities of students and parents, enforcement of compulsory school attendance, administration of educational institutions, inspection and review of the system. 

Commonwealth of Learning

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the 54 Commonwealth countries that belong to the Commonwealth of Learning. COL was established in 1987 and describes itself as “the world’s only intergovernmental organisation solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning.” 

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Antigua State College and the Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies have partnered with COL for activities in the country. Highlights include a state-of-the-art solar-powered multimedia courseware development studio at Antigua State College, with COL developing teacher capacity to design and develop blended and online courses. Over 470 learners have already taken these courses, and online workshops were held in November 2022 (for 27 teachers) and May 2023 (23 participants). Open Educational Resources workshops were held in math and science education in May 2024. A workshop in May-June 2024, on teaching mathematics with technology, hosted over 1,100 participants (half women). 

Although classified as a Small Island Developing State, Antigua and Barbuda is successfully addressing the accompanying challenges, especially in effectively incorporating the benefits of technology to make high-quality, relevant education available to its people.

– Staff Reports

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