Joint Media Release by Premier Winde and Minister Maynier: two Western Cape Schools named in Top 10 shortlist for World’s Best School Prizes

This morning, T4 Education in partnership with Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture and American Express, announced their Top 10 shortlists for the World’s Best School Prize.

The Western Cape Government is delighted to announce that not one, but two schools, have been nominated in the Top Ten shortlist for the category: Overcoming Adversity.

Pinelands North Primary School and West End Primary School have been nominated and will now compete with 8 other schools in their category from Australia, Malaysia, India, Uganda, Brazil, Jamaica, Kenya and Nigeria, for the $50 000 prize for their category.

They will also have the opportunity to showcase, on a global platform, their best practices and innovative approaches on how to overcome adversity. Please see attached statement released by T4 Education.

This morning, Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Education, David Maynier, visited both schools to announce the wonderful news to their school communities.

“This is a proud day for our province and our country. To have 2 of our province’s schools shortlisted among the top 10 schools in the world in the category of ‘overcoming adversity’ is a massive achievement – setting a benchmark not only for our province but indeed the world over,” said Premier Alan Winde.

“Under the leadership of Principals Ann Morton and Clive Arries, Pinelands North Primary and West End Primary, respectively, have stood out for overcoming adversity – by giving each and every learner the opportunity to succeed in a caring and nurturing school environment. They achieved this by working together with many dedicated teachers, SGB members, administrators and other employees, as well as the broader community. Of course, the learners of these schools have also played an important role in representing their schools and its values – well done to each of you, you can be very proud of this achievement! These efforts are empowering our young people and set an example of excellence within our education system. Going forward, T4 will open up voting to the public and I strongly encourage residents to take part in it – to truly showcase the amazing work being done right here in our province.”

Provincial Minister of Education, David Maynier said: “I am very proud of both schools and of the way in which their school communities have come together to overcome adversity. The fact our province’s schools were the only ones in South Africa to make it into the top 10 in any category speaks volumes about the incredible work that our principals and teachers and schools are doing to deliver quality education in the Western Cape.”

Reacting to the news, Principal of Pinelands-North PS, Anne Morton commented: “We are so excited that our school has been chosen – this validates the community’s hard work over the past 20 years.”

While Clive Arries, Principal of West End PS said: “We are humbled by the facilitation and accolade to be nominated as one of the top ten schools in the world for our endeavours in MANAGING ADVERSITY and CREATING opportunities for our learners and school community. Everyone is excited and we are looking forward to representing, not only our school but sharing the best practices of schools across South Africa.”

National Minister for Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, was also informed about the nominations.

“Our school communities have had to overcome many challenges, both past and present. Amidst these challenges, be it poverty, discrimination, gangsterism or violence, many of our schools rise above their social circumstances – overcoming adversity – and embracing opportunity. These schools have a lot to offer the world in terms of best practice,” said Minister Motshekga.

I am therefore delighted that two South African schools have been nominated in the top ten in the prestigious World Best School Prizes. We are extremely proud to have not just one, but two schools, Pinelands-North PS and West End PS, representing our country on the world stage with countries such as Australia, Malaysia, India, Uganda, Brazil, Jamaica, Kenya and Nigeria, in the category of “Overcoming Adversity”. Congratulations. We are all behind you!”

The schools will now compete for the Top 3 positions and then the ultimate prize.

We sincerely hope that the whole of South Africa will join us in celebrating their success and supporting them in the next phase!

Source: Government of South Africa