Schools from the US, Scotland, Chile, Philippines and Uganda have won the World’s Best School Prizes. The awards, organised by global body T4 Education entail $250,000 in prize money which will be shared among the winning schools.
Here are the winning schools:
CATEGORY
Winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Community Collaboration
SCHOOL
Dunoon Grammar School, Scotland, United Kingdom
WHAT FOR
Dunoon Grammar School develops skill-based courses to turn around a brain drain in its rural community
“Community Collaboration allows young people to achieve their potential by allowing them to take part in activities that actually are real learning experiences.”
– Paul Gallanagh, Principal Teacher
CATEGORY
Winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action
SCHOOL
Bonuan Buquig National High School, Dagupan, Philippines
WHAT FOR
Bonuan Buquig National High School has restored lost mangroves to reverse the environmental devastation caused by Typhoon Pepeng impacting its students and local community
“We cannot prepare the future for our learners. But we can prepare them for the future.”
– Lin Ventenilla, Teacher
CATEGORY
Winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation
SCHOOL
Escuela Emilia Lascar, Peñaflor, Chile
WHAT FOR
Escuela Emilia Lascar has launched its own TV channel to keep students engaged during COVID and it has gone from strength to strength
“Evidently, technology by itself is useless. It should rather open new paths for the development of skills and abilities: personal and emotional.”
– María Elena Fernández, Principal
CATEGORY
Winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity
SCHOOL
Project Shelter Wakadogo, Gulu, Uganda
WHAT FOR
Project Shelter Wakadogo, founded in the wake of war, now educates over 450 children with one of the highest student retention rates in the country
“This community is so resilient. When there are problems, we come together. We discuss the way forward, and we find a solution.”
– Odong Charles Kigundi, Head Teacher
CATEGORY
Winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives
SCHOOL
Curie Metropolitan High School, Chicago, United States
WHAT FOR
Curie Metropolitan High School breaks down barriers for students impacted by the area’s violent crime and promotes wellbeing through an extensive art programme
“The arts support healthy lives in a number of ways working with the whole child, to contextualise ideas, to be part of a community, and the creativity then enables them to go on and be successful in whatever they choose.”
– Melinda Wilson, Arts Teacher