Education Minister Daryll Matthew has cited a significant drop in student enrollment at the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Information Technology (ABIIT) as evidence of the urgent need for restructuring the country’s tertiary education system.
Speaking in Parliament during debate on the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) Bill, Matthew revealed that enrollment at ABIIT had plummeted from 700 students to just about 250. “At least one of our institutions is suffering dramatically,” he said. “ABIIT has seen a decline that can’t be ignored.”
The ABCAS Bill, which was passed with bipartisan support, merges ABIIT with three other tertiary institutions — Antigua State College, the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), and the School of Continuing Education — into a single statutory college.
Matthew said the consolidation will allow for better coordination of resources, avoid duplication of programmes, and improve the financial sustainability of the education system. “We have a situation where similar programmes are being offered at different institutions, at different price points, with varying curricula. That’s inefficient,” he told Parliament.
The Minister explained that part of the issue is the misalignment between programme offerings and current labour market needs. He stressed that a unified college would be better positioned to adapt course offerings and use campus space more efficiently, especially where underutilised facilities exist.
In ABIIT’s case, he suggested that its available space could be reallocated for classes in high-demand areas or shared across campuses. “When you go to ABIIT, most of the programmes are in the evening. During the day, that space is underutilised,” he said.
The move to create ABCAS is part of a broader education reform strategy aimed at increasing access, raising standards, and ensuring the long-term viability of tertiary education in Antigua and Barbuda.
“This amalgamation is not just about saving money. It’s about building a smarter, stronger system that works better for our students and the country,” Matthew said.