“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” These words from Nelson Mandela remind us of the incredible transformative power of education. For Investing in Youth: Education Without Barriers Saint Lucia, this belief is at the heart of the United Workers Party’s (UWP) bold promise to make tuition free for all students at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) in the upcoming General Elections.
This initiative will benefit approximately 2,000 students a year and represents a significant investment in the future and prosperity of the island’s youth.
UWP Political Leader Allen Chastanet revealed this plan during the party’s Massive National Public Meeting in Micoud North, emphasizing that free tertiary education is central to the UWP’s vision for fairness and opportunity. The party is committed to easing the financial burden on families and empowering young Saint Lucians through accessible education.
During its time in office from 2016 to 2021, the UWP began the meaningful transformation of SALCC into a University College—not just in name, but through significant improvements in infrastructure, access, and opportunity. The party rehabilitated long-neglected buildings such as the Victor Archer Building, the Department of Health Sciences, and the Sir Derek Walcott Library, restoring key facilities that had been allowed to deteriorate. Moreover, the introduction of the Bachelor’s in Nursing program created new pathways for Saint Lucians to become qualified professionals right here at home.
While the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) focused on spreading misinformation, the UWP made tangible investments in SALCC and successfully maintained stable tuition fees, easing the financial burden on families. Building on this foundation, the UWP now pledges to take a further step: making tertiary education at SALCC free for all Saint Lucian students in its next term.
Tommy Descartes, UWP candidate for Castries South, highlighted that next term’s plan will increase government funding to SALCC by 31.1%, raising it from $19.3 million to $25.3 million annually. This will bolster educational quality, increase student enrolment, and improve completion rates, producing a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of today’s economy.
Beyond reducing tuition costs, this policy promises to create broader social and economic benefits. Accessible education helps lower youth risk behaviours, empowers individuals economically, and fosters earlier, more substantial contributions to Saint Lucia’s tax and social security systems. The initiative also addresses a critical local challenge by aligning training with evolving labour market needs.
While SALCC currently offers an eLearning Academy with online and blended programs, expanding these virtual options is a recommended step. Doing so will further ease transportation costs, particularly for rural students, making education more convenient, affordable, and aligned with the digital skills the modern workforce requires.
This education policy complements other UWP cost-of-living relief measures articulated in the UWP Save Our St. Lucia -7 plan, such as the removal of the contentious 2.5% health and security levy and reductions in gasoline and diesel prices, collectively reducing economic pressures on Saint Lucian families.
For many young Saint Lucians like Jn. Bar, a hopeful youth from Belfond who dreamed of becoming an engineer but was forced to halt his studies due to financial hurdles, free tuition represents a newfound opportunity to fulfil aspirations and alter life trajectories.
This policy works hand-in-hand with the UWP’s other initiatives designed to stimulate employment, enhance infrastructure, and nurture entrepreneurship, collectively fostering an environment where graduates can thrive and contribute meaningfully to Saint Lucia’s growth.
By promising free tertiary education at SALCC, the UWP offers not just a pledge, but a practical and hopeful pathway toward educational equity and national progress. This policy embodies a symbol of hope and opportunity, ensuring that financial barriers no longer limit the dreams of Saint Lucian students.
Now is the time for Saint Lucians to choose a future where education is accessible to all, where young people like James can pursue their ambitions without sacrifice. Supporting the UWP means backing a vision that places education and opportunity at the core of building a brighter, more prosperous Saint Lucia for generations to come.
Let us stand together and invest in the power of education to transform lives and our nation.