Minister of Education Hon. Daryll Matthew Applauds UPP’s Belated Support for University Town Vision in Five Islands
St. John’s, Antigua—Minister of Education, Hon. Daryll Matthew, has expressed his pleasure that the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and its Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural West, Richard Lewis, have finally embraced the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) vision of transforming Five Islands Village into a thriving university town.
“It is truly heartening to see that the UPP and MP Lewis have now conveniently bought into what the ABLP has championed for years: the development of Five Islands Village into an educational hub and a center for national and regional progress,” said Minister Matthew. “This shift demonstrates that the merits of our vision were always clear, even to our most vocal critics.”
The Minister reminded the public that this new position by the UPP comes after years of resistance and opposition to the establishment of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus in the community. The ABLP’s decision to situate the campus in Five Islands was met with protests by the UPP, which accused the government of making a misguided choice. “Let us not forget that the UPP staged a public protest against the establishment of the UWI campus in Five Islands, claiming it was the wrong location,” Minister Matthew stated.
The Education Minister also highlighted the troubling treatment of Senator Lamin Newton, who was expelled from the UPP after expressing support for the ABLP’s vision for the university. “Senator Newton recognized the transformative potential of this project and bravely chose to support it, despite the backlash from his own party. His expulsion is a stark reminder of how deeply opposed the UPP once was to this initiative,” Minister Matthew noted.
Now, with the UWI Five Islands Campus thriving and playing a pivotal role in the region’s education landscape, the ABLP’s vision is coming to life. The campus is rapidly expanding, and its development is not limited to tertiary education alone. The government is committed to creating a university town where education, commerce, and community development intersect to uplift Five Islands Village and its residents.
As part of this vision, the construction of the new Five Islands Primary School is a significant milestone. “This new school, the first phase in the larger buildout of the UWI campus, is a testament to our government’s commitment to education and community development. It is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the future of our children,” Minister Matthew emphasized.
The ABLP’s focus on Five Islands extends beyond education. The development of a university town also includes improved amenities, expanded infrastructure, and a stronger integration of community and academic life. “We are laying the foundation for Five Islands to become a hub of innovation, growth, and opportunity—not just for Antigua and Barbuda, but for the entire region,” Minister Matthew added.
Minister Matthew concluded by welcoming the UPP’s change of heart, stating, “While it is disappointing that it took this long for the opposition to recognize the value of our vision, I am pleased that they have finally come on board. The development of Five Islands into a university town is not a partisan issue; it is a national achievement. I hope the UPP’s newfound support will translate into meaningful collaboration as we continue to build a brighter future for our people.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Five Islands Primary School is the latest step in realizing the ABLP’s transformative vision for Five Islands. The school will not only provide state-of-the-art facilities for the community’s children but also reinforce the government’s commitment to making Five Islands the epicenter of education and development in Antigua and Barbuda.
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a bet dem vex with Richard Lewis for giving remarks in SUPPORT OF ABLP UWI EXPANSION PROJECT!
He broke rank and showed up to endorse the project. Remember it was the Chairman who said that uwi would be “watering down”its brand by bringing a university to Antigua. What a spiteful, badminded, evil thinking, horrible person!!!!
Daryl you speak like an uneducated man. Do you still expect the UPP to stand in opposition to the site of the UWI Campus? That’s a wasted thought. The buildings cannot be uprooted and taken to another location. That ship has sailed. It was publicly stated that the Old Navy Base would have been the perfect location. The debt that now wraps around the neck of every Antiguan as a result of the present location would have been far less. Sadly the debt is just beginning to grow. The campus needs expansion which will result in more debt. The UPP has NEVER opposed the establishment of the UWI Campus. Our views are well documented. Today we have to demolish a complete school to build another to accommodate the expansion. That would not have been necessary at Coolidge. So while you brag and boast of the Five Island Campus please do not leave the debt behind. They go hand in hand. The Five Island Primary School will cost ten million dollars. That’s ten million that could have been spent on dorms. Now to compound the problem the students are being placed closer to the fly and rodent infested landfill. So much for progress and poor planning. Your government’s attempts to erase the contribution of the UPP from the history books will certainly backfire. Long live THE HONORABLE RICHARD LEWIS, Parliamentary Representative for the St Johns Rural West Constituency.
@Straight Shooter “Daryl you speak like an uneducated man”
DO NOT. I repeat. DO NOT confuse the Hon. Daryll Matthew with EMPTYHEAD, DEAD DARG, PICK-UP-CORN, CA-CA-CA-PAH-SEA-TAH, UPSIDE DOWN BIBLE, Pringle!!!
Miister Im not sure that Richard Lewis can be considered UPP, hes more of an independent MP noq
INDEPENDENT???? So you mean he move out from under Man Cow skirt?…or is it pant suuit?
Well Tabor already told us how this go. The upp was just doing its usual OPPOSE FOR OPPOSING SAKE! Hiding behind fake concern for the primary school instead of welcoming a UNIVERSITY!
More licks for richard and family. More disrespect from Wehnner.
Is Straight Shooter = Gisele Isaac?
Is Straight Shooter insane?
Debt is now their great concern and reason for throwing mud on the UWI FIC expansion and the new Primary School?
Today we have 40% less in the debt to GDP ratio that under UPP/Baldwin/Harold. Perhaps under the failed UPP government the debt concern could even be considered, but today this is the most absurd and INSANE thing I have heard from the failed blue bubble since January 2024.
It is clear that the UPP has a problem with education and all other strategic investments which will pay dividends for generations to come. They complain about Barbuda International. They complain about the $21 million in new road equipment. They complain about investment made to permanently solve the water issue. They complain about every damned thing. Sick bunch of people.
Meanwhile their leaders get fat from wheeling and dealing in exchange for destroying the UPP – BMWs, mega mansions and more. The less intelligent of their supporters are poor fools. True victims in all this.
Another reason Five Islands was the ideal solution was the fact that several other OECS countries were competing for the 4th landed UWI campus, and started their overtures to Sir Beckles way earlier than we did. To hesitate and vacillate (the UPP way) would have meant PERMANENTLY losing out on this wonderful educational and economic opportunity. Perhaps “shoulda-coulda-wouldas” are fine for the failed UPP, but the ABLP government and Gaston Browne in particular would NOT allow our people to lose out on a once in a lifetime chance to immediately secure the world-respected UWI landed campus here. Since then it has been full steam ahead with a robust expansion plan which will give a major boost to educational tourism and commerce in Rural West, beyond all the other obvious and oft repeated benefits.
UPP should just go collectively jump off Devil’s Bridge. The stupidity is no longer sweet. The joke has gone way too far now.
Dear MP Lewis, it is not everything that ALP has in the constituency that you have to show up or speak. They will just use these things to bait you, just like they did with the school.
Try to make better decisions. Grays Farm people know who for them.