The Chief Minister’s comment came when he revealed details of the programme that will benefit all eligible BVIslanders and Belongers regardless of age or income.

“Starting this fall all Students, regardless of age, admitted to the community college will be able to attend tuition free,” the Chief Minister said in his weekly update to the Territory this week.

According to the Chief Minister, there are few countries in the world with the privilege of providing a free college education to eligible citizens.

“The United States does not do it; not all the great nations of Europe do it; today we join an exclusive fraternity of nations who have put their priorities in order,” the Chief Minister added.

However, he notes that applicants will have to meet the college’s standard admission requirement to qualify. “You must provide documentary evidence of status as a BVIslander of Belonger and provide normal administrative fees payable to HLSCC,” the Chief Minister said.

Items that would be acceptable as documentary evidence include British Passports issued by the Virgin Islands, a BVI Belonger card, United Kingdom Passports with the BVI as place of birth, certificates of naturalisation as a British Overseas Territory citizen issued in the BVI, and birth certificates.

Administrative payments are one-time application, orientation, and property fees in addition to student, student government, technology, registration, and late registration fees, which are paid at the start of each semester.

The Chief Minister said current students with pre-existing balances are required to settle their outstanding bills. “You will have to make appropriate and satisfactory arrangements with HLSCC to settle the balance,” the Chief Minister said, adding that courses from previous semesters that were not completed must be completed immediately.

“Students studying under the tuition-free programme will be expected and required to fully comply with the standards of conduct set out in the Student Handbook and College Catalogue,” the Chief Minister said. Major violations include academic dishonesty and disorderly conduct either in the classroom or on the college campus.

The Chief Minister said that the BVI’s long-term economic security is directly linked to the ability to provide our young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to thrive in an information age. “Expanding access is not just about growing our economy – it is also about building a stronger social fabric.”

The Chief Minister said that he hopes that one day future generations of BVIslanders will look back at the year 2006 and remember it as The Year of Education; a year in which new doors were opened for the people of the BVI to learn and to prepare themselves to meet the challenges of the future.