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.”