PUTRAJAYA: SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) has been named the winner of the World’s Best School Prize 2025 for Supporting Healthy Lives.
It is the first Malaysian school ever to win a World’s Best School Prize.
The school triumphed over shortlisted schools from Türkiye, India, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil and Thailand.
Founded in 2022 by T4 Education, the World’s Best School Prizes are among the world’s most prestigious global schools prizes, recognising outstanding achievements in five categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives.
This year, a total of US$250,000 (RM1.05mil) was awarded to the winners, with each of the five prize recipients taking home US$50,000 (RM210,750).
SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) was recognised for its innovative HELPIE mobile health application, designed to improve students’ mental well-being by offering tools for stress identification and management, alongside interactive games and health campaigns.
Since its introduction, the school has recorded a 60% drop in student stress levels. More than 90% of students report a better understanding of their emotions, while 87% say they are more aware of their stress levels.
The initiative has already earned recognition, including the AIA Healthiest Schools Competition in Bali last year. Efforts are now underway to publish HELPIE on Google Play so it can be integrated into counselling programmes in other schools.
T4 Education and the World's Best School Prizes founder, Vikas Pota, said: "As the winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, your trailblazing work will inspire educators and policymakers across the globe. Thank you for everything you do,” he said in a press release on Tuesday (Sept 30).
The winners in the other four categories were A Favor del Niño in Mexico City, Mexico (Community Collaboration), Arbor School in Al Furjan, Dubai, UAE (Environmental Action), Franklin School in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA (Innovation), and Escola Estadual Parque dos Sonhos in Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil (Overcoming Adversity).
Winners were selected by an expert Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria.
Meanwhile, the Community Choice Award went to ZP School Jalindarnagar in Taluka Khed, Maharashtra, India, after receiving the highest number of votes in a public vote among the 50 schools shortlisted for the five World’s Best School Prizes.
All winners and finalists will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 15 to 16, where they will share best practices and expertise with policymakers and leading global education figures.
