ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a US$56.2 million loan to help Antigua and Barbuda upgrade schools, strengthen teacher training and improve the quality of education across the country.

The funding for the Education Enhancement and Quality Improvement Project (E-EQUIP) was approved by the bank’s board of directors during its 315th meeting, held recently in Barbados.

The project is expected to benefit more than 10,000 students, including 2,400 young people who will receive skills training to prepare them for work and life.f

The Sir Novelle Richards Academy, Antigua Girls’ High School, Ottos Comprehensive School and Golden Grove Primary School will be rehabilitated and expanded into inclusive, energy-efficient and disability-accessible facilities designed to withstand hurricanes and flooding.

The schools will also be able to serve as community shelters during emergencies.

“Every child deserves a safe, modern school where they can learn and thrive. Through E-EQUIP, CDB is helping Antigua and Barbuda build resilient classrooms, empower its teachers and open doors to opportunity, so today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators,” said Lennox O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s director of projects.

Beyond school infrastructure, E-EQUIP will introduce the CDB’s Improving Mathematics Proficiency Across Caribbean Countries (IMPACT) programme to raise mathematics proficiency in primary and secondary schools.

The project will also strengthen the instructional and leadership skills of more than 750 teachers, school leaders and Ministry of Education staff, while expanding support for students with special educational needs.

Schools will be eligible for competitive grants to pursue their own improvement priorities, and the project will support the modernisation of the Education Act of 2008.

E-EQUIP will also fund the preparation of designs to transform two secondary schools into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centres of Excellence, with the aim of strengthening students’ skills in technical and vocational fields.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will contribute US$23.565 million towards the project, bringing its total cost to approximately US$79.8 million.

The Ministry of Education is expected to implement E-EQUIP from 2027 to 2031.