Cape Town - Pinelands North Primary School has placed in the top 3 of the World’s Best School Prize, awarded by T4 Education.
While the school did not make it to first place, it remained a fantastic achievement for the country and the Western Cape, said Premier Alan Winde on Wednesday as he congratulated the staff and SGB, learners and parents, and the entire school community.
“Pinelands North has made the Western Cape and South Africa proud. To have made it to the finals of the Overcoming Adversity category was a huge achievement all by itself. This reflects the hard work of the school’s educators, staff, School Governing Body and learners. I urge the school community to forge ahead and keep up with the good work,” Winde said.
Pinelands North Primary principal, Ann Morton, said: “The fact that we have made it to the top 3, we’re exceptionally very proud too. We are the top school in South Africa, out of 300 000 schools all around the world that entered this competition, so we’re very proud to come in the top 3. But a very special congratulations to Project Shelter Wakadogo.”
“We cannot wait to see what new heights Pinelands North Primary will achieve.”
In June this year, the school was announced as one of the top 10 finalists in the category “Overcoming Adversity”.
The school’s inclusive environment, and recognition of their learners’ unique needs and potential, caught the attention of the T4 Education judges.
West End Primary in Mitchells Plain was also announced as a top 10 finalist.
Pinelands North Primary then proceeded to the top 3, which was announced in September.
Winde congratulated Project Shelter Wakadogo in Gulu, Uganda, on winning the category’s prize.
“They have done incredible and inspiring work in difficult social circumstances, transforming lives through education,” Winde said.
Cape Times