Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment through financial education, announcing significant progress under the Achieving Success through Personal Investment, Resources, and Education (ASPIRE) Programme.
Speaking on 7th October, 2025 during The Roundtable, Dr. Drew described ASPIRE as “a revolutionary initiative designed to build financial resilience among young people by giving them both capital and the knowledge to manage it.” Each child under the programme receives EC$1,000 — half deposited in savings and the other half invested in local shares.
“So far,” he said, “we are increasing our numbers significantly with over 5,000 applications, 4,000 approvals, and more than 4,000 accounts already open. We have already invested over EC$4 million in our youth, and we will continue to expand.”
He explained that the programme’s educational component is being implemented through a partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), which hosted the first ASPIRE Educator Training sessions at its headquarters. The training includes teachers from the Washington Archibald High School and Basseterre High School, with expansion to Nevis and primary schools planned.
The financial literacy curriculum — developed in collaboration with the ECCB — focuses on practical lessons taught through interactive games and simulations. “It’s being delivered in a fun way,” Dr. Drew said. “Students learn deep financial concepts — from understanding assets and debt to making smart investment decisions — while playing engaging games like ‘How to Become a Millionaire’.”
Dr. Drew noted that St. Kitts and Nevis is the only country in the Caribbean, and possibly in the Western Hemisphere, implementing a youth savings and investment programme of this scope. “We want to change the culture of how we handle money and prepare a generation to build secure financial futures,” he said.
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp channel and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!
Be the first to comment on "Drew Highlights ASPIRE as a Transformative Financial Empowerment Model for Youth"