JA Schools in Nigeria, Lebanon, and the UK Among the World's Best
October 2, 2024
The World’s Best School Prizes from T4 Education recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of schools worldwide. These prestigious awards highlight the innovative practices and impactful initiatives transforming education and making a significant difference in communities. This year, we’re proud to share that three JA schools made the shortlist.
The prizes are awarded in five distinct categories, each celebrating a unique aspect of educational excellence:
Community Collaboration: Recognizes schools that foster strong partnerships with their local communities to enhance learning and development.
Environmental Action: Honors schools that implement sustainable practices and educate students about environmental stewardship.
Innovation: Celebrates schools that introduce creative and effective teaching methods and technologies.
Overcoming Adversity: Acknowledges schools that have successfully navigated challenges and provided exceptional support to their students.
Supporting Healthy Lives: Highlights schools that promote physical and mental well-being among students and staff.
Each year, ten schools from around the world are nominated for their exemplary work in these categories, with three JA schools among them in 2024.
Overcoming Adversity, Wisdom International School of Excellence Abuja, JA Nigeria (JA Africa): “Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), an independent kindergarten to secondary school in Abuja, Nigeria, is a beacon of hope in a community grappling with poverty and limited access to quality education, whose work has tackled the health crisis of open defecation. Established in 2013, WISE integrates practical-based learning with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community development.” Read more.
Tobiloba Oloason, Marketing & Communications Manager, JA Nigeria, shared, “We’re excited that our impact work is generating awareness and that Nigerian schools are listed among other great schools worldwide.” Students at Wisdom International School of Excellence participated in several JA learning experiences, including the JA Company Program, the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass, and Young Voices for a Sustainable Future from BASF.
Overcoming Adversity, Kingsford Community School, Young Enterprise UK (JA Europe): “Kingsford Community School, a state secondary school in Newham, London, UK, has turned adversity into excellence for its 1,500 students, 72% of whom speak English as a second language with nearly half on free meals in a community confronting knife crime and deep social challenges. Committed to combatting the socio-economic constraints of its community, Kingsford emphasizes high aspirations and determination as pathways to success and tools for breaking glass ceilings.” Read more.
Kingsford Community School took part in the YE 10X Challenge, a four-week program in which young people use a £10 pledge to get their business ideas off the ground. The interactive and fun program introduces enterprise and financial education and enhances key skills, including communication, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence.
Environmental Action, Rashaya Public High School, INJAZ Lebanon (INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA): “Rashaya Public High School, a secondary school in Rashaya, Lebanon, excels in merging environmental education with community integration, empowering students with projects like a self-irrigating garden system, and fostering a future of academic and ecological leadership. Established in 1973, this government-funded school serves 300 students, embedding respect, curiosity, and community spirit into its curriculum amidst challenging socio-economic conditions. The school’s mission centers on a nurturing environment that fosters free expression and academic excellence, with students frequently securing scholarships to prestigious universities.”
INJAZ Lebanon’s 2023 national JA Company Program winner Guide Me came from Rashaya Public High School. Guide Me also won the Most Innovative Product award at the INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA Youth Entrepreneurship Celebration. “This was the first time in many years that a JA Company Program company from a public school won, and that was really special,” reflected INJAZ Lebanon CEO Samar Dani.
The World’s Best School Prizes are a platform for sharing best practices and inspiring other schools to adopt similar strategies. The prizes aim to drive global educational improvement and foster a culture of excellence. The recognition also comes with a share of a $50,000 award, providing financial support to further enhance schools’ initiatives.
T4 Education, the organization behind the World’s Best School Prizes, is dedicated to advancing education worldwide. Guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), T4 Education works to strengthen educational institutions and promote societal progress through innovative and impactful practices. The winners of the 2024 World’s Best School Prizes will be announced at the World Schools Summit in November.
To that end, we’re excited to share the news that the inaugural World Schools Summit will be held at Deira International School in Dubai, UAE, November 23–24. The World Schools Summit brings together leading figures in global education alongside leaders from some of the best schools on the planet, including winners of the World’s Best School Prizes. The event will enable schools to understand the importance of unlocking the Hidden Curriculum—those unspoken values that make up a school’s culture—share innovative solutions, exchange best practices, and help each other transform teaching and learning.
Full program details will follow, but expect to hear from some of the biggest names in education on some of the most vital topics, including innovation and technology, leadership and development, whole-child approaches, professional wellbeing, and global collaboration. JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani will also deliver a keynote speech at the summit.
The World Schools Summit is free to attend (not including transportation and lodging), but spots are limited. Apply today!