Government Of St Lucia Expands First-Generation Full Scholarships, OPM Says

(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) CASTRIES, St Lucia – In accordance with the flagship programme,“One University Graduate per Household” introduced in 2023 by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, the government of Saint Lucia has expanded the First-Generation Scholarship Programme at Monroe College from 50 to 75 full awards for the 2025/26 academic year.

The First-Generation Full Scholarships are made possible through collaboration between the government of Saint Lucia and Monroe College, with both sharing the cost of delivery.

The initiative targets students from households without a university graduate, allowing more families to have a graduate for the first time.

Prime Minister Pierre stressed the policy's foundation in his 2024/25 budget address:

“The fundamental cure for poverty is not money but knowledge. The government's policy of at least one university graduate per household continues with partnerships and with government funding.”

The expansion complements broader measures to improve tertiary access, including a new Education Financing Facility at the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB), supported by a US$3.7 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

“The government will guarantee these loans to ensure qualified students are not turned away,” said the Office of the Prime Minister, (OPM).

“In the 2025/26 academic year, Saint Lucian students have been awarded 44 scholarships from Taiwan, 140 nursing scholarships at SALCC, and 11 scholarships from Cuba, alongside other international awards.

“Over the past four years, the government has invested more than $9 million in tertiary bursaries and scholarships, directly benefiting over 1,200 students.”

Prime Minister Pierre's education plan outlined six priority areas in the 2025/2026 budget:

(1) Expansion of access at all levels, early childhood education and development, special education, post-secondary skills for lifelong learning, and tertiary education programmes.

(2) Democratisation of education and training: promoting gender equity and increasing accessibility and affordability for all learners.

(3) Improved student achievement and teacher effectiveness at all levels: effective curriculum delivery, enhancement of STEM, STEAM and TVET.

(4) To build workforce capacity to meet local and global demands: to transform curriculum to support innovation, entrepreneurship, youth economic empowerment, and the seamless transition of students into the world of work.

(5) To develop leadership, management, and governance and to create an agile and responsive education system.

(6) To foster social development and positive behaviour: civic responsibility, citizenship, social skills, social justice, values, and conflict resolution.

“We continue with the expansion of educational opportunities, greater emphasis will be given to Technical and Vocational Education Training ( TVET ), the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools, and the One-University Graduate per Household programme. This emphasis is to ensure more students are sufficiently prepared for the job market and able to assist businesses in their drive to improve productivity levels through the use of technology.”

“In this year's budget, XCD12.6 million has been allocated for the physical improvement of our schools to provide a secure, well-equipped learning environment for our students and teachers.

“The overarching goal of this government is for our education system to produce a well-rounded, socially responsible citizen, ready to make meaningful contributions locally and globally.”

Recently, Prime Minister Pierre acknowledged the success of the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET ) programme at four institutions, stating,

“This education provides our students with the practical learning and skills required in the workplace and will remain an integral part of our country's education system.”

• Institute of Art, Media and Design (formerly Jon Odlum Secondary School);
• Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, Culinary Arts, and Entrepreneurial Services (formerly Grande Riviere Secondary School);
• Institute for Engineering and Technology (formerly Anse Ger Secondary School) and,
• Institute of Construction and Heritage (formerly Piaye Secondary School continues to meet the needs of students and match them with the needs of the global workforce.

On Monday, August 25, 2025, Prime Minister Pierre announced the EC $350,000 Creative Economy Grant Fund ( CEGF ), to be administered by the ministry of tourism,investment, creative industries, culture and information. The CEGF will provide direct financial support to Saint Lucian artists, cultural practitioners, and creative entrepreneurs to develop original works, grow businesses, and expand market reach.

“The Creative Economy Grant Fund forms part of my government's broader mission to expand opportunity through enterprise,” Prime Minister Pierre said.“It complements the work of the Youth Economy Agency, which equips young innovators with finance, mentorship, and training, and the MSME Loan-Grant Facility, which helps small businesses access capital to grow. Together, these initiatives reflect a consistent philosophy: whether through culture, entrepreneurship, or small business, every Saint Lucian should have a fair chance to succeed.”

The Fund is designed to:

• Support the development, quality, innovation, and presentation of original work towards excellence.
• Strengthen business capacity and livelihoods among creatives to build economic resilience.
• Encourage collaboration, mentorship, and capacity building.
• Promote inclusive access, especially for underrepresented sub-sectors within the creative space.
• Grow audiences and market reach.

The CEGF will provide direct financial support to Saint Lucian artists, cultural practitioners, and creative entrepreneurs to develop original works, grow businesses, and expand market reach.

The post Government of St Lucia expands First-Generation full scholarships, OPM says appeared first on Caribbean News Global .

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