Education Tech & Reform: Barbados’ 2026/27 school year is branded the “Year of Purpose,” with a new digital educators’ forum for teachers and student idea-sharing, while secondary placement reform is being adjusted after parent and stakeholder pushback—continuous assessment for placement is postponed and the Common Entrance Exam remains for now. Assessment & Access: The Barbados Union of Teachers is urging a slower, consultative rollout of assessment changes, and disability advocates are pressing for real enforcement of accessibility—especially for public buildings like courts—under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Digital Skills: WorldSkills Barbados Juniors Future Skills Camp added mobile app development, with teens building learning-focused apps and exploring future tech like robotics and cybersecurity. AI Buildathon: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries are in the build phase of an Agentic AI challenge, targeting deployable solutions across disaster response, health, finance, tourism, logistics, food systems and climate resilience. Agritech & Health Safety: Barbados is reviewing whether to tighten controls or phase out paraquat (Gramoxone) amid wider international moves linked to health concerns. Trade & Supply Chain: Abed’s reports back-to-school delays tied to shipping disruptions, warning Christmas stock could also be affected. Regional Digital Infrastructure: CARICOM countries are connecting national digital public infrastructure through cross-border, practical use cases aimed at interoperability and digital trust.