KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 – Two exceptional Malaysian schools have been selected as part of the Top 10 shortlists for the highly coveted World’s Best School Prizes, each worth $250,000 (MYR 1,153,500.00). The World’s Best School Prizes, initiated last year in collaboration with T4 Education, Yayasan Hasanah, Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, are recognized as the most prestigious global education awards. Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Permai, a government primary school located in Bayan Baru, Penang, Malaysia, has gained recognition in the Top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation.
The school has developed a creative solution to alleviate the heavy burden of school bags carried by students. Sekolah Kebangsaan Kanchong Darat, another government primary school situated in Banting, Selangor, Malaysia, has been included in the Top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives. The school’s “Great Mind, Healthy Citizens” project has successfully enhanced attendance rates and addressed the issue of obesity among students, making it a beacon of resilience.
Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Founding Trustee & Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah, expressed her congratulations to the remarkable teachers and students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Permai and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kanchong Darat for their well-deserved recognition in the Top 10 shortlists of the World’s Best School Prizes 2023. She stated, “Hasanah is immensely proud to sponsor this prestigious prize for the second year. In a world where more young people yearn for purpose and aspire to create positive change, these schools stand as beacons of inspiration.
This recognition not only showcases the exceptional caliber of Malaysia’s schools but also signifies a significant stride towards a progressive society, where educators and young people play a pivotal role in shaping our shared future.” Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, commended Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Permai and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kanchong Darat on their inclusion in the Top 10 shortlists. Pota emphasized the importance of a strong school culture, stating that these schools, regardless of their location or curriculum, share this common characteristic.
He added, “Schools across the globe will learn from the story of these trailblazing Malaysian institutions and the culture they have cultivated.” The World’s Best School Prizes recognize schools in five categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives. These awards celebrate the pivotal role that schools play in shaping the next generation of learners and their significant contributions to societal progress, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prizes were established to share best practices and showcase schools that are transforming the lives of their students while making a tangible difference in their communities.
