Basseterre:Â The Government of St Kitts and Nevis has decided to enhance the country’s education budget by over 20% during 2025, with an aim to provide quality education to the nation’s youth.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew made this remark during the media round table conference on Tuesday, stating that the government of St. Kitts and Nevis is willing to invest extensively in promoting education for the nation’s youth.
According to the plan shared, the budget will primarily be spent on promoting the preschools and the tertiary education in the country.
The government led by Prime Minister Terrance Drew has steadily increased the education budget over the last three years:
- In 2023 the government had set aside a fund of EC $93 million for promoting education in the country.
- In 2024, this budget was increased to $97 million.
- During the current year that is 2025, the government will be spending a total of $120 million on promoting education in the country.
The Prime Minister stated that without providing proper education to the students, St. Kitts and Nevis will not be able to build a nation of dreams in the coming future.
He said that gaining a strong and proper education must be treated as the fundamental right of the children and the government should also make certain efforts to provide the same so that future generations are equipped to transform the nation into a highly developed country.
St Kitts leader noted that the country has provided free secondary and college education to the students. Even the preschool education is free for some, while it is subsidized for few.
He further added that the government has planned to provide education to all of its citizens and through the increased budget this dream could be achieved easily and more effectively.
Moreover, the government has initiated to promote entrepreneurship in the twin island nation for which quality education must be provided to young children. The government has also announced new initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, recognizing the critical link between education and economic power.
PM Terrance Drew emphasized, it is only through education that the youngsters of the country can emerge as successful entrepreneurs of tomorrow. In order to provide financial assistance to the entrepreneurs, the government has asked the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank to draft a plan under which people who wish to launch their own businesses get the needed support.
The Prime Minister said that the government is ready to promote small businesses so that more people in the country could grow in the future. He said that the government aimed to give its citizens additional options so they wouldn’t have to rely on jobs to earn their livelihoods.
The government of St Kitts and Nevis launched the ASPIRE programme to develop the habit of investing and saving at the young age so that they can become successful and manage funds effectively.
The Prime Minister said that the government was trying to provide quality education to the children and also create an environment in which these children can grow up into successful entrepreneurs in the future. To promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in the nation, the government is also working to build a community of business persons who while growing in their chosen fields, contribute to further strengthening by the economic standing of St. Kitts and Nevis.
