Digital Innovation, Student Loan Debt, Infrastructure, Scholarship and Apprenticeship, Technical Vocation, Youth
Our youth are the future. By investing in education, scholarships, digital innovation and vocational training, we are equipping our young people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Development Bank student-loan interest rates have been cut from 9% to 5%, the Graduate Refinance Project offers relief to existing borrowers, and a grant of EC$25,000 is available to every student pursuing studies relevant to national development. In our classrooms, STEAM education has been introduced across primary schools, the One-to-One Laptop Programme has been reinstated, tablets have been provided to primary school students, and a guidance counsellor is now assigned to every primary school. Scholarship places in Morocco have increased to 40, prioritising medicine, engineering and technology, while economic-cost tuition at the University of the West Indies has been extended to nationals in all disciplines. Our commitment is to make education accessible, foster innovation, and provide pathways for career success — ensuring that every child can achieve their potential.
Achievements: August 2022 – July 2026
Student Loans & Affordability
- Reduced Development Bank student-loan interest rates from 9% to 5%.
- Introduced the Graduate Refinance Project, providing student-loan holders with a proposed EC$15,000 credit toward loans held at the Development Bank and other financial institutions.
- Reduced student-loan burdens through the Youth Rising Higher programme.
- Advanced reform of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College fee system.
- Reintroduced the stipend to all nursing students at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
- Expanded access to affordable credit for returning graduates to support home and vehicle ownership.
- Delivered two Back-to-School Discounted VAT Rate Days in August 2022.
Scholarships & International Partnerships
- Provided a grant of EC$25,000 to every student wishing to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in a field immediately relevant to national development.
- Expanded scholarships for university education, professional development, vocational training and apprenticeships.
- Increased Morocco scholarship places to 40, prioritising medicine, engineering and technology.
- Extended economic-cost tuition access at the University of the West Indies to nationals studying in all disciplines.
- Awarded six (6) fully funded scholarships to civil servants through the Ministry of Sustainable Development.
- Signed an MOU with Southern University in Louisiana to expand cooperation in higher education and agriculture.
- Established a formal partnership between Dr. Denzil L. Douglas Secondary School and Taiwan’s Nanshan High School to support academic exchange, cultural collaboration and student development.
- Certified 14 participants who successfully completed A1 Twi-language training through the Twi Learning Center in Accra, strengthening language skills and cultural exchange.
Digital Learning & Skills
- Introduced STEAM education in primary schools, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
- Expanded education digitalisation by providing devices for students and teachers and introducing new digital-learning solutions in 2025.
- Reinstated the One-to-One Laptop Programme.
- Provided tablets to primary school students.
- Conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity certification programme aimed at equipping 100 nationals with high-demand skills.
- Launched critical digital-skills training for 100 nationals, with planned expansion to 200 participants.
- Strengthened Technical and Vocational Education and Training toward certification-centre status.
- Delivered Phase 1A of the Documentation and Equipment Skills Training Workshop.
Teachers, Schools & Infrastructure
- Increased salaries for trained teachers, deputy principals and principals.
- Provided travelling allowances to all Early Childhood Resource Teachers.
- Assigned a guidance counsellor to each primary school.
- Advanced the identification of suitable locations for a standalone Centre for Special Education and autism-spectrum services.
- Established a dedicated unit to provide preventive maintenance for public education facilities.
- Completed security and infrastructure upgrades at Irish Town Primary School.
- Delivered bathroom and electrical upgrades across schools.