Members of the education fraternity: students, teachers, principals, ancillary workers, parents, and all other stakeholders in education, a very warm and enthusiastic welcome to the 2026-27 academic year.
We are starting this school year in eager anticipation of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda and in the wake of national, regional and international events which evoked a palette of emotions, forced us to re-examine our priorities and, I hope, brightened our collective will to create a future that is as comfortable as it is brilliant.
The reality is that we have scores of achievements to celebrate but, we also have piles of fearful challenges to overcome. Although, we are confronted at every level of the education system with seemingly insurmountable challenges, we are not daunted. We refuse to be immobilized. We are beginning this school year with a clearer vision, renewed purpose and a deeper conviction that we must continue to colour outside the lines to achieve higher levels of student engagement, more meaningful student outcomes, focused and effective classroom instruction, equity, inclusion and sound leadership. It is only as we colour boldly together, sharing the products of our imagination and blending our efforts that we will be able to turn school days into periods of inspiration, collaboration and innovation. So, welcome to this school year which is already distinguished by several exciting developments. Permit me to outline a few.
Firstly, we are expanding our offerings at the very foundation of education- the early childhood development level. In this school year, more children in two additional communities will be benefiting from public early childhood programmes because, in the Ministry of Education, we are committed to ensuring that every child in Antigua and Barbuda has access to a solid educational foundation. In January of 2027 the Jennings Early Childhood Centre will throw its doors.
Some time later in 2027 we will be opening an early childhood educational facility in New Winthorpes. To ensure its survival, the government has also taken up the operations of the Sir Luther Winter Child Development Centre. Along with our expanded early childhood offerings, we are streamlining the leadership of early childhood development centres. This is urgent, it is critical, and we are making it a reality.
Secondly, in this school year, we will heighten our curricular alignment with the rest of the OECS region by adopting the D-OHPC CURRICULUM from Kindergarten to Grade Two at all primary institutions, both private and public. Though this change comes with understandable concerns, we assure you that the resources that are embedded in the curriculum will draw students and teachers into new and exciting learning experiences. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education will do everything in its power to ease the anxieties resulting from this transition.
Thirdly, through the efforts of the Board of Education and the Education Enhancement and Quality Improvement Project (EEQuIP) dozens of students and teachers will experience better learning environments. During the weeks of the summer vacation, there were expansions and renovations taking place at various public schools around the island. These changes at our education facilities signal our aim to make excellence visible and the sites of learning inspiring.
Additionally, this school year will be defined by two bold actions that have been taken by the government of Antigua and Barbuda. No longer will students who wish to pursue post-secondary education at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus be barred because of lack of funds. All new Antiguan and Barbudan students will enjoy free tuition at these institutions.
We will continue to keep schools safe and deepen our efforts to support those students who are learning English as a second language even as we continue to strengthen the structures that advance Spanish as the official second language of the nation.
Finally, We firmly subscribe to empirical evidence which shows a direct correlation between quality instruction and student achievement so, consistent with strategic Imperative 3, strengthening teachers’ professional development, of our current Education Sector Plan, and Imperative 4, enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, the Ministry of Education will continue to prioritize Continuous Professional Development for educators. We are colouring outside the lines to secure a brighter future for all Antiguans and Barbudans.
What we create in this school year and in the years ahead will, however, only be as bright as the effectiveness of our collective efforts. So, I urge every student, from preschool to university to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you. Work hard, stay focused and be gentle with yourself and others. I take this opportunity to commend those students who participated in our Carnival events during the summer and offer hearty congratulations to those who were victorious.
To every educator, at every level of our education system, I thank you for starting or continuing this exceptional engagement. Your daily actions truly frame the future of the nation. I implore you to engage passionately, creatively and with keen regard for the psycho-social wellbeing of your students and yourself. To all ancillary staff and all those who serve our students by transporting them through the National School Bus System, or nourishing them in the National School Meals Programme, welcome to the 2026-27 school year. Continue to serve with patience and kindness. Your interactions with students may seem simple but they have acute implications. Show up and perform at your very best every day.
Principals, your leadership gives schools tint and texture. We applaud your commitment, welcome your continued cooperation and challenge you to create learning environments that demonstrate the beauty of firm, intelligent guidance. Through your committed service, the future of this nation can be brighter and stronger. Let’s coordinate our efforts and inspire those who rely on us for direction.
Parents and all other stakeholders, the children of Antigua and Barbuda need your encouragement, your guidance and your commitment. Continue to invest your time and resources to help transform lives. What you do to empower students today is the easel for the future they are creating. Be strong, be consistent, be extraordinary!
As I conclude, let me remind us all of the significance of education and what our actions mean for the prosperity of our beloved twin-island territory. The field of education, undoubtedly, offers the most meaningful opportunities to stimulate innovations. Innovations that this nation, the region and the world are so desperately in need of. In the timeless words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” On that premise, I encourage all of us to discard apathy, divisiveness, and lack of persistence. Let us move boldly from one untried week to another. Let us proceed with unfettered imagination, boundless determination and genuine care for what is most meaningful in life. Welcome to the 2026-27 school year. Let’s “Colour outside the lines …”
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Director of Education Clare Browne Delivers 2026–27 School Reopening Address.