This report provides a comprehensive analysis comparing the efficiency of modern roundabouts and signalized intersections, with a specific focus on their application within the unique context of Barbados. Confronted with one of the world's densest road networks, an unsustainable rate of vehicle growth, and significant traffic congestion that impacts economic productivity and quality of life, Barbados stands at a critical juncture in its transportation infrastructure planning. The term "efficiency" is evaluated across a holistic, four-pillar framework: public safety, operational performance, economic viability, and environmental sustainability.

The story of energy in Barbados is inextricably linked to the island's broader socio-economic and political development. From the earliest days of English settlement, the methods used to power the economy have shaped the landscape, defined social structures, and determined the island's place in the global order. This report argues that the history of energy in Barbados is a microcosm of its national journey, characterized by a series of disruptive transitions. Each transition—from wind to steam, steam to oil, and now oil to renewables—was driven by a confluence of technological innovation, external economic pressures, and critical shifts in local political power. The control of energy has consistently served as a proxy for control of the island's economy, evolving from the decentralized power of a land-owning planter elite to a centralized, foreign-owned monopoly, and now moving towards a complex, democratized, and state-guided sustainable energy ecosystem.

This report provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the evolution of the Barbadian education system, tracing its legislative and structural development from the pivotal 1850 Education Act to the contemporary reform initiatives of the 21st century. The system's foundations were laid not by the state, but by the philanthropic and religious efforts of private individuals and churches. The older, prestigious secondary schools were established through endowments intended for the education of white children during the era of slavery, while elementary schooling for the Black population emerged from the modest attempts of churches to provide a Christian education to the enslaved.3 The gradual assertion of state control, beginning formally with the 1850 Act, did not immediately seek to dismantle this segregated structure but rather to manage and systematize it. Central to this history is the Barbados Secondary Schools' Entrance Examination (BSSEE), colloquially known as the "11-plus." Introduced in 1959 as a democratizing instrument, the exam, in conjunction with the landmark 1962 policy of free secondary education, created a paradox that continues to define Barbadian society.5 It opened a meritocratic pathway for talented children from all backgrounds to access elite education, becoming a potent engine for social mobility.1 Simultaneously, it institutionalized a high-stakes, competitive culture that sorts and labels children at a young age, perpetuating a rigid hierarchy of schools and reinforcing social divisions.8

Scabies, an ectoparasitic infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, remains a global public health issue, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in crowded and resource-limited settings. Characterized by intense pruritus and a papular rash, scabies is primarily transmitted through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Its designation as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) by the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores its significant, often under-recognized, impact on health and quality of life, particularly in tropical regions like the Caribbean. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of scabies with a specific focus on Barbados. It examines the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease, its global and regional burden, and delves into the recent scabies outbreak at the Geriatric Hospital in Barbados during May-June 2025. This outbreak highlighted several critical aspects of scabies management in institutional settings, including the susceptibility of elderly populations, challenges in medication procurement (specifically Permethrin 5% cream), and the difficulties posed by the disease's prolonged asymptomatic incubation period which facilitates silent transmission. While the Chief Medical Officer of Barbados characterized scabies as not being a disease of major public health significance, the events at the Geriatric Hospital demonstrated its capacity to cause considerable discomfort, infect staff, and strain resources. The response by the Ministry of Health and Wellness involved activating infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols, engaging private dermatological expertise, and initiating treatment for affected individuals. However, the outbreak also exposed potential systemic vulnerabilities, such as in pharmaceutical supply chains and the need for consistently applied IPC measures in long-term care facilities. Key recommendations arising from this analysis include the strengthening of scabies surveillance systems, particularly in high-risk institutional environments; enhancing IPC training and ensuring resource availability, including essential medications; developing targeted public awareness campaigns; and undertaking further research to ascertain the community prevalence and socio-economic impact of scabies in Barbados. Addressing these areas will not only improve the management of scabies but also contribute to overall health system resilience and preparedness for other infectious disease threats.

Barbados possesses a comprehensive legislative framework for addressing Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and enabling breathalyzer testing, primarily established through the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2017. This legislation defines specific offences, sets prescribed Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limits at 0.08 g/dl (or its breath equivalent of 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath), and outlines penalties for violations and test refusals. However, the full operational enforcement of widespread breathalyzer testing, which was initially anticipated for January 1, 2020, has encountered significant and prolonged delays. Official statements attribute this postponement primarily to a governmental policy linking its rollout to the prior establishment of a fully functional metered taxi system, complete with a supporting mobile application—initiatives that are themselves still under development. While The Barbados Police Service has reportedly undergone training and is equipped and legally empowered to conduct breathalyzer tests, particularly in instances of accidents resulting in serious injury or death, the practice of routine and random breath testing as a proactive deterrent is not currently standard operational procedure. This gap between legislative capacity and on-the-ground enforcement has drawn persistent calls for urgent action from road safety advocates and some political figures, who emphasize the critical need to address drink-driving to improve road safety. This report underscores the necessity of re-evaluating the policy interdependencies that impede the breathalyzer system's full activation. Prioritizing road safety may require decoupling the breathalyzer initiative from other infrastructural projects if such linkages continue to cause delays. Concurrently, strengthening public education efforts and establishing robust, transparent mechanisms for collecting and reporting data on alcohol-related road incidents are identified as crucial supporting actions.

The Barbados Ministry of Educational Transformation has articulated a comprehensive vision for overhauling the national education system, with a central objective being the abolition of the Barbados Secondary Schools' Entrance Examination (BSSEE), commonly known as the 11 Plus or Common Entrance. This ambitious reform agenda, detailed in the "Reimagining Education In Barbados: A Bright Future For Every Child (2023)" document, seeks to address long-standing issues of elitism, underachievement, and to better prepare students for the demands of the modern world.

Effective September 1, 2025, Barbados' new **Road Traffic (Amendment) Act** will implement strict Visible Light Transmission (VLT) limits for vehicle windows: **70% for windscreens, 20% for front side windows, and 25% for rear windows**, while explicitly prohibiting metallic and mirrored tints. These regulations, primarily driven by concerns for **police officer safety and crime prevention**, will be enforced administratively with an initial fine of $500 for non-compliance and an additional $10 per day for persistent violations.

Barbados's legal framework for video and sound evidence is not based on a single "Video Tape Evidence Act," but rather is a composite and evolving structure. Key legislation includes the foundational Evidence Act, Cap. 121, its significant Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2015 (introducing provisions for sound recordings and video identifications), the detailed Evidence (Sound Recording) Regulations, 2014, the Evidence (Identification of Persons) Regulations, 2014, and the overarching Electronic Transactions Act, Cap. 308B, which governs all electronic records. These laws aim to modernize evidence gathering, enhance the reliability of confessions and identifications, and protect fair trial rights by mandating or strongly advocating for the recording of police interviews and identification procedures. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has critically shaped this framework, particularly by ruling against convictions based solely on uncorroborated oral confessions and consistently emphasizing the need for recordings, thereby addressing a noted "implementation deficit". Despite this progressive legal and judicial impetus, the most significant challenge remains a persistent "implementation gap" between the law on paper and actual practice, largely due to resource constraints and the need for sustained investment and training.

Barbados Climate Resilient South Coast Water Reclamation Project (SCWRP) represents a Thepivotal advancement in the nation's approach to sustainable development, directly addressing critical challenges of water scarcity, climate change vulnerability, and food security. This initiative involves the comprehensive upgrade of the existing South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant (SCSTP) into a state-of-the-art South Coast Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRRF). The new facility will employ an advanced multi-stage treatment process, including preliminary, biological secondary, and tertiary treatment incorporating filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, followed by an Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) train featuring Ultrafiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO). This sophisticated system is designed to produce high-quality reclaimed water suitable for agricultural irrigation and vital aquifer recharge.

Barbados's transition to a parliamentary republic on November 30, 2021, marked a significant constitutional milestone, severing colonial ties with the British monarchy and installing a Barbadian Head of State.1 This pivotal act served as a catalyst for a broader, more comprehensive constitutional reform process. The government initiated this process to thoroughly review and reshape the nation's supreme law, aiming to align it with the contemporary realities and future aspirations of a 21st-century sovereign republic.

The St. James North by-election, scheduled for May 21, 2025, presents a significant opportunity for an independent candidate. Triggered by the resignation of long-serving BLP MP Edmund Hinkson, this election occurs in a unique national context following Barbados' transition to a republic. While traditionally a BLP stronghold, the constituency's previous general election results showed a modest turnout and a slight decrease in the BLP's victory margin, suggesting potential voter disengagement or openness to alternatives. Key constituent concerns, including infrastructural deficiencies (roads, water, lighting), socio-economic pressures (cost of living, employment, housing), community well-being (elderly care, youth engagement, community facilities), and environmental stewardship (waste management, coastal protection), create fertile ground for an independent candidate who can offer a distinct, community-centric approach. The by-election also serves as a litmus test of public mood and a platform for new political leadership.

Analysis of the unprecedented back-to-back 30-0 election defeats of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in Barbados in 2018 and 2022, and the prospects for the party's future.

The 1986 Barbadian General Election was a watershed event, resulting in a decisive landslide victory for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led by Errol Barrow, ending a decade of Barbados Labour Party (BLP) rule. The outcome was driven by a confluence of factors, including a challenging economic climate marked by high unemployment, the strong appeal of Errol Barrow and the DLP's platform, and voter dissatisfaction with the incumbent BLP administration. The election underscored the resilience of the two-party system in Barbados despite the dramatic shift in political power.

The 1937 riots in Barbados were a pivotal moment in the island's history, emerging from decades of deep-seated social, economic, and political oppression under colonial rule. Triggered by the unjust deportation of labor leader Clement Payne, the four days of unrest in late July 1937 exposed the extreme poverty, racial inequality, and lack of political voice endured by the Black working class. The violent crackdown by colonial authorities resulted in casualties and arrests, but also forced a reluctant British government to investigate conditions in the West Indies. This led to key reforms, including the legalization of trade unions and expanded political representation, ultimately setting Barbados on the path to self-government and independence. The legacy of 1937 endures as a symbol of the struggle for justice and a catalyst for modern Barbadian nationhood.

Redevelopment of the Barbados National Stadium: A Comprehensive Analysis This analysis examines the $80 million redevelopment of the Barbados National Stadium, exploring its historical context, the China-Barbados partnership, and anticipated economic impacts.

Agreement Between Afreximbank and the Government of Barbados: A Strategic Partnership for Trade and Economic Development This comprehensive analysis examines the landmark agreement establishing the first Afreximbank African Trade Centre outside Africa in Barbados, a US$180 million investment expected to create 1,300 jobs and strengthen Africa-Caribbean economic ties.

Upgrading Barbados' Gateway: A Strategic Analysis of the Grantley Adams International Airport Expansion This analysis examines the UAE-funded US$147 million expansion of Grantley Adams International Airport and its economic impact on Barbados, including a new terminal, runway expansion, and cargo facility upgrades.

This comprehensive analysis examines Barbados Light & Power's pursuit of battery storage for grid stabilization amidst the rapid growth of distributed photovoltaic systems, highlighting the regulatory challenges and their impact on the country's renewable energy goals.

Investigating the Persistent Brown Water Issue in St. Lucy, Barbados: A Comprehensive Analysis This investigation examines the ongoing brown water crisis affecting St. Lucy residents, analyzing its causes, timeline, health impacts, and the government's response including the $32 monthly compensation payment.