By Admin. Updated 8:41 a.m., Friday, November 21, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
At the launch of the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) manifesto, Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday delivered an appeal to the nation’s young people, promising reforms to make education more accessible and better aligned with the realities of the modern workforce.
Dr Friday’s remarks placed youth development at the heart of his vision for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He emphasized that affordability should never be an obstacle to education, pledging to abolish secondary school and Community College fees and to cover the cost of exam fees for all students.
The NDP leader reaffirmed a policy first introduced under former NDP party president Mr. Arnhim Eustace; government payment of exam subjects for secondary and college students. Dr. Friday criticized the practice of students having to seek sponsorship or financial support to sit their exams, describing it as an unnecessary burden on families.
“We will complete the process,” he declared. “As a government, as a people, as a society, we will ensure that every student qualified to write their subjects can do so without financial strain.”
Parents’ concerns about escalating costs at both secondary schools and the Community College were also addressed. Friday pledged to eliminate these charges entirely, noting that fees have become a barrier to access. “Exam papers and school fees are part of your education,” he said. “They will be abolished.”
Beyond financial relief, Dr Friday outlined plans for a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence, designed to provide young Vincentians with practical skills for employment. He stressed that vocational training would not be treated as a “second‑tier” option but as an equal pillar of the education system, complementing traditional academic pathways.
“Our education system, inherited from colonial times, does not meet all the needs of our society,” Friday said. “It prepares some for academic success but leaves others without the skills to find meaningful work. We will change that.”
The proposed TVET Centre would allow students whether pursuing CAPE subjects or technical training to gain qualifications that translate directly into jobs.
Dr. Friday’s speech underscored a broader commitment to youth empowerment, positioning education as the foundation for national development. By removing financial barriers and expanding vocational opportunities, he argued, the country can unlock the potential of its young people and prepare them to thrive in a changing economy.
-30-
One News SVG 