The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries is urging all parents and guardians across Antigua and Barbuda to support the completion of the OECS Students’ Census, which is scheduled to close this week. With the deadline fast approaching, the Ministry of Education is encouraging families to ensure that every student takes part, noting that the nation still has “some way to go” before reaching its 80% completion target.

Ministry of Education officials have expressed concern about the current participation rate among students. To date, Antigua and Barbuda has achieved only 55% participation in the census, meaning that a significant amount of our students’ voices remain unheard. The level of participation recorded so far has also placed us behind most of the other OECS Member States, underscoring the urgent need to improve completion rates.

The census conducted simultaneously across all OECS Member States will provide essential data to help Ministries of Education understand students’ realities, plan effectively, and strengthen education systems.

The Ministry is therefore appealing to all parents, guardians, teachers, principals, and students to work together to boost completion rates in the remaining days. This effort provides the opportunity for each student to be heard, to be counted, and to influence the future of education in our nation.

As the census enters its final days, the Ministry encourages all parents to take a few minutes to assist their children in completing the online questionnaire. With nationwide cooperation, the Ministry is confident that the country can meet and surpass its target.

Let us finish strong so that the voice of every student in Antigua and Barbuda can be heard.