Cape Town’s Pinelands North Primary School was not successful in its bid to claim a prestigious World’s Best School Prize, but has done the Western Cape so proud nonetheless.
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But let’s go on.
Listed as one of the top three candidates in the Overcoming Adversity category, the South African school fell just short at the final hurdle when Uganda’s Project Shelter Wakadogo was announced as the winner earlier today.
Hosted by T4 Education in partnership with Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture and American Express, the accolade is awarded to the school as part of the World Education Week activities.
Pinelands North competed against the Ugandans and Escola Evandro Ferreira Dos Santos in Brazil for the honour and a $50 000 prize.
Read: Cape Town school boasts as a finalist for the world’s best school prize
Mitchell’s Plain’s West End Primary was also recognized and shortlisted in the top 10.
“We at the Western Government are very proud of all our schools, learners and teachers, the professionalism and ‘gees’ of which is demonstrated by this shining example,” said Premier Alan Windie after learning of the nomination. “Pinelands North is blazing a trail in delivering quality, inclusivity and that feeling of hope we all aspire to, and I am very proud that we can call them a part of ‘Team Western Cape’.”
Also read: Two Cape Town schools shortlisted for World’s Best School prizes
MEC for Education, David Maynier, agreed. “The school’s inclusive environment, and recognition of their learners’ unique needs and potential, caught the attention of the T4 Education judges,” he added. “They have competed against schools in countries around the world, and have made it to the very last stage!”
“We also congratulate West End Primary School for making the Top 10 in the same category. While they are not in the Top 3, we recognize them as a school that is truly showing what it means to reach out to its community. We can all learn from the example West End is setting,” he said.
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