CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Sharp Decline in ABIIT Enrollment Cited as Key Reason for Tertiary Education Reform
Education Minister Daryll Matthew has cited a significant drop in student enrollment at the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Information Technology (ABIIT) as evidence of the urgent need for restructuring the country’s tertiary education system.
Speaking in Parliament during debate on the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) Bill, Matthew revealed that enrollment at ABIIT had plummeted from 700 students to just about 250.
“At least one of our institutions is suffering dramatically,” he said. “ABIIT has seen a decline that can’t be ignored.”
The ABCAS Bill, which was passed with bipartisan support, merges ABIIT with three other tertiary institutions — Antigua State College, the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), and the School of Continuing Education — into a single statutory college.
Matthew said the consolidation will allow for better coordination of resources, avoid duplication of programmes, and improve the financial sustainability of the education system.
“We have a situation where similar programmes are being offered at different institutions, at different price points, with varying curricula. That’s inefficient,” he told Parliament.
The Minister explained that part of the issue is the misalignment between programme offerings and current labour market needs.
He stressed that a unified college would be better positioned to adapt course offerings and use campus space more efficiently, especially where underutilised facilities exist.
In ABIIT’s case, he suggested that its available space could be reallocated for classes in high-demand areas or shared across campuses.
“When you go to ABIIT, most of the programmes are in the evening. During the day, that space is underutilised,” he said.
The move to create ABCAS is part of a broader education reform strategy aimed at increasing access, raising standards, and ensuring the long-term viability of tertiary education in Antigua and Barbuda.
“This amalgamation is not just about saving money. It’s about building a smarter, stronger system that works better for our students and the country,” Matthew said.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Thus decline was in evidence years ago under (sad to say) under the leadership/management of the late Eustace Hill Esq., through no real fault of his own ; but rather as a result of complacent educational leadership at tge time of its inception. The original OECS Educatiobal Framework identified certain territories to serve as Center’s of Excellence for the participating territories. Antigua and Barbuda was earmarked to be a Center of Excellence for Infirmation Technology and related subjects . Participating Education Ministers, CEOs and other window-dressing officials hailed the initiative, signed on the dotted lines, enjoyed the various islands’ hospitality, pocketed or spent their per diems then returned to their respective territories with no intention of delivering on mandates given. So Antigua was left with this state-of -the art technology center , but no island took tge bait . The then Lester Bird administration therefore had no choice but to market the institution locally as a mini MIT mainly, if not solely for local consumption. Instead of Principals, we had Presidents and Deans. Instead of an Accounts department, we had Bursar’s office and bursaries. To fund all this, exorbitant fees had to be charged. Soon it became evident that the Institute had quickly outgrown its usefulness, given the rising awareness of social media. Who needed ABIIT when degree programs were/are being offered online. ABIIT became in short order a white elephant, and without the effervescent spirit of the late Eustace Hill Esq, ABIIT soon became a comatose white elephant!. Will say no more. ……..for now.
Wah really gwan up dey? ABIIT used to be full back inna mi day!
Mi cousin did want go, but dem say de programme dem limited now.
ABIIT used to be de place fi IT and business. Wah mash up?
Fix ABIIT, promote it, and students will return. But right now? It’s falling behind.
Well if we are making sure to send everybody down to Five Islands, what else do you expect? Students who should be going to ABIT are accepted at Five Islands with all kinds of questionable qualifications. The same thing is happening to the State College.
No matter what coalition they form, there will still be problems because the ultimate goal is to make sure the numbers down Five Islands look good.
When UWI has no criteria for enrollment besides once you can pay and finish High School is one of the reasons. Antiguans love name brand even with education.
Comments are closed.