The budget for the H. Lavity Stoutt Community college for this year has been increased by 1.3 million dollars.
The increase was announced by the Minister of Education Sharie De Castro when she addressed the Fall Convocation, of the college,
It is said to be a sweeping enhancement to HLSCC’s funding, ushering in new infrastructure, scholarships, and technology that mark a defining moment in the College’s evolution.
The Minister states that thanks to a supplementary appropriation of $1,315,000, the College’s base budget for 2025 was lifted from $9,618,300 to $10,933,300, surpassing even last year’s total of $9,918,400.
Minister de Castro revealed that part of the funding will go toward the design of dormitories—an essential step toward welcoming more students from across the Territory and beyond, especially those who may benefit most from on-campus housing.
She said a new Student Information System, upgraded for the first time in over two decades, will also be introduced, promising smoother registration, clearer academic progress tracking, and modernised interactions with the College.
The Minister further said this financial boost reflects more than numbers, noting it is an investment in the students.” Among the new opportunities are technical scholarships spanning every district— dedicated slots for the Marine Professional Training Programme (MPT) and for the NCCER certification programme in construction, anchored in the College’s ongoing push to build regional workforce capacity.
According to the Education Minister, inside the academic walls, enhancements are already underway.
Minister De Castro states that the Robotics Club has been launched, the IT curriculum is being thoroughly restructured, classroom spaces are being redesigned, and staff have been hired in key areas such as computer science and education.
She said these initiatives form part of a broader strategy to advance academic excellence and innovation, adding that faculty will also benefit.
As of 4 January, 2025, average starting salary bands for newly hired faculty rose by 35%, an essential move to attract, retain, and fairly compensate the vision-keepers who guide student learning and mentorship.
Beyond campus, the Minister highlighted growing global partnerships that place HLSCC graduates on accelerated tracks as Transfer agreements with UK universities now allow students to move into their programmes by the second year; a major step toward reducing cost and time for those seeking international academic opportunities.