SUBVENTIONS INCLUDE FACILITIES FEES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHING MATERIAL ALLOWANCES, GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES, TUITION SUBSIDIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS, AND UP TO FOUR FREE CXC SUBJECTS FOR FIFTH FORMERS.
The Government of Saint Lucia has increased financial subventions in the education sector at the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.
In his 2025 “Back to School” address, the Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Hon. Shawn Edward, noted that primary school students, secondary school students, and both temporary and permanent teachers are among the beneficiaries.
“We continue to place education at the very centre of our agenda, ensuring that every learner, from early childhood to adult, can have the opportunity to succeed. We are once again providing every form one student with a brand new laptop and a $500 bursary. We are paying facilities fees for every student enrolled in public primary and public secondary schools. We have paid an increased teaching material allowance of $1400 to teachers as a complement to their August salaries,” the minister said.
The country’s youngest learners will also benefit. Private preschools will receive a $500 increase in their annual grants, while the tuition subsidy for each pre-schooler, per term, increased from $50 to $100.
“At the foundation we are investing in early childhood education. While government has traditionally supported public-run centres, private early childhood centres have not benefitted in the same way. This year, each private center will receive a grant of $3000, an increase over last year, and every child enrolled will receive $100 per term, also an increase over last year. This investment will ease the financial burden on families, improve facilities, teaching materials and most importantly ensure that our youngest learners enter classrooms and learning spaces better prepared for them to thrive.”
And for graduating students, the minister said that government will now cover the cost of a maximum of four CXC subjects.
“We also recognize that the cost of education can be daunting for many families. To ease the pressure, we are expanding support for CXC/CSEC examinations. We are now adding two more subjects, one science and one foreign language. This means the Ministry of Education will now cover the cost of a maximum of four subjects for students in Form 5. This is an investment not only to reduce the financial strain on families but also to expand opportunities for success.”
Minister Edward encouraged students to attend school regularly, be punctual and respectful, and to avoid loitering. He added that the Ministry of Education will work with the police to ensure that all students are off the streets within a reasonable time frame, after dismissal.