Government Weighs Tuition-Free UWI Five Islands Campus for Nationals
The government is considering offering tuition-free education to Antiguans and Barbudans at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
Browne said the administration is reviewing the proposal because the government already covers a significant portion of student costs through existing scholarship arrangements.
“Almost every person goes to UWI Five Islands, [and] the government provides a scholarship,” Browne said. “To the extent I’m now speaking to my colleagues about literally making it free. Since we’re paying already anyway, may as well we just make the university education free.”
He said the move would further the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and promoting long-term national development.
“The whole idea is to ensure that we provide opportunities for continued growth and development for each Antiguan and Barbudan,” Browne said. “We want you to enjoy living standards that are second to none.”
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I must start by stating that I endorse the PM’s position about 80-90% of the time. Today, I find myself falling within the 10-20% range regarding consideration for a tuition-free education at Five Islands Campus.
Some may take offense to this particular point. But, the education system is a natural pyramid. Everyone should be included at the base (primary and secondary), but not everyone would ascend to the top. Simply put, the higher the degree, the fewer the holders.
Absorbing tuition fees will significantly increase the government’s expenditure, which could become unsustainable. What is now in place allows students to apply for a scholarship, which the government approves on a discretionary basis. In this case, the government maintains cash flow control, thereby approving when it can and denying when it cannot.
Absorbing tuition fees at the Five Islands campus while other learning institutions remain underfunded, with outdated facilities and limited resources, creates inequality within the education system. A well-functioning society must be balanced, and the other institutions play a pivotal role in achieving that balance.
Absorbing tuition fees will result in higher taxes, more borrowing, or cuts elsewhere. Either option will have its unique drawbacks.
A tuition-free university will spike applications/enrollment (increase demand) far beyond what the university could handle (exceeding supply). If all applicants were accepted, the university would be overcrowded, resulting in lower academic quality.
Absorbing tuition fees could accelerate brain drain, as many degree-holders are currently struggling to find suitable employment. Therefore, if the economy cannot absorb an influx of degree-holders, graduates may be forced to migrate. Ultimately, Antiguan will pay for their education while another country benefits.
A tuition-free university is a beautiful idea, I must admit. I would have written a paper about education being the main catalyst for social mobility. Therefore, I am well aware of the relationship between an educated society and a country’s economy. But, the consideration is a no for me at this time, particularly when other essential services are under strain.