The Antigua and Barbuda government has formally enshrined its CXC examination fee support programme as permanent national policy, guaranteeing that eligible students can continue sitting regional examinations free of charge.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the decision during Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing, confirming that Cabinet approved the measure following the programme's successful debut in the last academic year.
Merchant noted that the government had delivered on its promise to cover examination fees for secondary school students sitting Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) assessments, enabling hundreds of students to register without the burden of out-of-pocket costs.
The programme now stands as established government policy, built on the principle that financial hardship should not stand between a qualified student and regional certification.
Under the policy, the government will fund examination fees for eligible students enrolled in public and private secondary schools, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) and approved homeschooling programmes. Coverage extends across three examination levels: the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
Government funding will cover candidate entry fees, subject fees and local examination fees. Students are eligible for support for up to five CCSLC subjects, up to 10 CSEC subjects and up to five CAPE subjects.
Cabinet described the programme as a significant investment in the country's human capital, one that broadens access to quality education, increases pathways to tertiary study and employment, and strengthens Antigua and Barbuda's future workforce.
Merchant outlined the eligibility criteria. Applicants must be citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or citizens of Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member states that offer reciprocal benefits. They must be enrolled in a registered public or private secondary school, an approved homeschooling programme or ABCAS, carry a recommendation from their school principal, meet the Ministry of Education's attendance requirements and be first-time candidates for the subjects they are entering.
Students who wish to have examination papers re-marked or who are challenging a grade will remain responsible for any fees associated with those requests.
Further details on the programme will be published in the official Cabinet Notes.
