Source: TOI
Context
The World’s Best School Prizes 2026 shortlist — released by T4 Education, a UK-headquartered global education platform on 25 June 2026 — features seven Indian schools across four of the five award categories, setting a new global record for the highest number of shortlisted schools from any country in a single year since the awards were launched in 2022 (now in their 4th year). T4 Education was founded by Mr. Vikas Pota in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to celebrate schools transforming lives globally. Each category features a Top 10 shortlist (total 50 schools); category winners are selected by an independent Judging Academy of global education experts in November 2026, while the Community Choice Award is decided by public vote. All shortlisted schools will gather at the World Schools Summit in London in January 2027 to share best practices.
What is the World’s Best School Prizes?
- Organiser: T4 Education, UK-headquartered.
- Founded: 2022 (post-COVID).
- Founder: Mr. Vikas Pota.
- Year: 2026 = 4th edition.
- Categories (5):
- Innovation.
- Community Collaboration.
- Environmental Action.
- Supporting Healthy Lives.
- Overcoming Adversity.
- Per Category: Top 10 schools shortlisted = 50 total.
- Community Choice Award: Decided by public vote from all 50 shortlisted schools.
- World Schools Summit: London, January 2027.
Which 7 Indian schools made the shortlist?
| Category | School | State | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation | PCMC Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj English Medium School, Kasarwadi, Pune | Maharashtra | Public (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation-run) |
| Innovation | Army Goodwill School Wuzur, Anantnag | Jammu & Kashmir | Public (Indian Army-run) |
| Community Collaboration | Healthy Planet TGA Early Years School, Noida | Uttar Pradesh | Independent (Kindergarten) |
| Community Collaboration | Inventure Academy, Bengaluru | Karnataka | Independent |
| Community Collaboration | Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Vineet Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | Independent |
| Environmental Action | EuroSchool Bannerghatta, Bengaluru | Karnataka | Independent |
| Supporting Healthy Lives | Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | Independent |
State-wise distribution
| State | Schools Shortlisted |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh (Noida + Lucknow ×2) | 3 |
| Karnataka (Bengaluru ×2) | 2 |
| Maharashtra (Pune) | 1 |
| Jammu & Kashmir (Anantnag) | 1 |
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the World’s Best School Prizes 2026, consider the following statements:
- The prizes are organised by T4 Education, a UK-headquartered global education platform.
- The prizes were founded in 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- India has the highest number of shortlisted schools (seven) from any country in a single year since the prizes were launched.
- The prizes are organised by UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the World’s Best School Prizes are organised by T4 Education (UK), NOT by UNESCO.)
Q2. With reference to the categories of the World’s Best School Prizes, consider the following statements:
- The prizes cover five categories: Innovation, Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Supporting Healthy Lives, and Overcoming Adversity.
- Each category has a Top 10 shortlist of schools.
- Indian schools were shortlisted in four of the five categories in 2026.
- The category winners are decided through a public vote.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the category winners are selected by an independent Judging Academy of global education experts — NOT by public vote. Only the Community Choice Award is decided by public vote.)
Answer Key
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: T4 Education organises it, not UNESCO.
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Judging Academy decides category winners; only Community Choice Award is by public vote.
