Education

Two inspirational schools from the UAE have been named in the Top 10 shortlists for the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2024. Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and GEMS Legacy School have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to environmental action and supporting healthy lives, respectively.

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills has been shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action. This independent school, catering to students from kindergarten through secondary levels, is renowned for its personalized learning pathways and project-based learning initiatives. The school drives community change through culturally responsive education and sustainability projects. Key initiatives include an Eco Club, significant e-waste recycling campaigns, and model COP28 events, all aimed at raising environmental awareness and fostering tangible community action. If awarded the prize, the academy plans to use the funds to establish hydroponic systems for growing organic vegetables on campus, further reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing student engagement in eco-friendly practices.

GEMS Legacy School has been shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives. This independent school impacts over 6,285 students with comprehensive wellness programs, including school-wide fruit breaks and sleep hygiene workshops. Established in 1990, the school educates students from kindergarten to secondary levels and employs the PERMA-H model, focusing on emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial wellbeing. GEMS Legacy School's initiatives aim to enhance daily health habits and promote sustainable lifestyle choices, contributing significantly to student and staff wellness.

The World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, are the most prestigious education awards globally. This year’s winners will share a $50,000 prize fund and will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Dubai on November 23-24, 2024.

Key Statements

Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, said: "Unless we solve the urgent challenges global education faces – from learning gaps exacerbated by COVID to chronic underfunding and the growing teacher wellbeing, recruitment and retention crisis – we will have failed the next generation. Trailblazing UAE schools like Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and GEMS Legacy School, which have cultivated a strong culture and aren’t afraid to innovate, show the difference that can be made to so many lives. Schools everywhere can now learn from their solutions, and it’s time governments do so as well."

Jill Huntley, Managing Director – Global Corporate Citizenship, at Accenture, remarked: "Congratulations to Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills in the UAE on being named among the Top 10 finalists for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action 2024. Your vital work brings hope that solutions can be found to some of the greatest challenges we face today. Through the platform of the World’s Best School Prizes, your solutions will now inspire countless others across the globe from the classrooms to the administration."

The winners of the five Prizes will be selected by an expert Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria. Additionally, all 50 shortlisted schools will participate in a Public Vote, with the most voted school receiving the Community Choice Award and membership in T4 Education’s Best School to Work program to support teacher wellbeing and address the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.

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