Antigua and Barbuda’s Parliament has passed the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) Bill 2025, paving the way for the merger of four post-secondary institutions into a single statutory body.
The bill consolidates the Antigua State College, the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Technology (ABITT), the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), and the School of Continuing Education at the Harrison Centre. The unified institution, ABCAS, is intended to streamline academic offerings, reduce administrative overlap, and enhance access to affordable, high-quality tertiary education.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew, who tabled the bill, said the merger will modernise the nation’s education system and improve efficiency across campuses.
“With a small country and limited resources, we don’t benefit from scale. This consolidation removes duplication, enhances quality assurance, and better aligns with our labour market needs,” he told Parliament.
The ABCAS will be governed by a board of directors comprising representatives from key sectors including education, tourism, labour, health, and civil society. Board members will oversee operations and policy direction, while existing staff will transition into the new framework without loss of benefits or employment.
“We will not be seeking to remove persons, terminate anyone’s employment, or have anybody experience any loss of benefit,” Matthew assured. He added that transitional arrangements for public servants have been designed to ensure continuity and protect pensions.
The minister also unveiled plans to rename each campus to honour national education pioneers: the Antigua State College will become the Dr Alistister Francis School of Education, Arts, Science and Industry; ABITT will be renamed the Eustace Hill School of Business, Innovation and Information Technology; and ABHTI will become the Muriel Omard School of Tourism and Hospitality Services. The Harrison Centre has already been renamed in honour of Sir David Harrison.
St Mary’s South MP Kelvin Simon supported the bill but urged greater focus on accreditation and mental health services.
“Many people suffer breakdowns at the tertiary level. There must be psychological support built into the framework,” he said.
Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph described the bill as “revolutionary” and a continuation of the Labour Party’s long-standing investment in education. He noted that successive administrations led by VC Bird, Lester Bird, and now Prime Minister Gaston Browne had prioritised access to education as a cornerstone of national development.
“We cannot continue to be a society that imports everything. If we don’t educate and train our citizens, we will be left behind,” Joseph said.
Opposition MP Richard Lewis also backed the measure but suggested several amendments, including the addition of an IT expert to the governing board, more flexible term limits for board members, and clearer clauses for staff reassignment.
“This is just the start,” Lewis said. “But ten or fifteen years down the line, this institution can evolve into a degree-granting body. It’s a major step forward.”
Minister Matthew said the legislation follows two years of planning and was initiated by a 2022 Cabinet decision. He described the bill as an essential response to changing global education trends and workforce demands.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming every profession—from law to architecture to tourism,” he said. “Our people must be equipped to not only compete, but to lead in this new world.”
Funding for ABCAS will include annual government subventions, tuition fees, donor contributions, and revenue from commercial activities. A dedicated trust fund will also be created.
The bill repeals the individual Acts governing the four original institutions and formalises their transition into ABCAS. The merged college is expected to function under a harmonised curriculum with shared human and physical resources, and will offer clear pathways to further study at institutions such as the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
“This is not optional,” Minister Matthew concluded. “It is something we must do—and we must do it now.”