PETALING JAYA: A primary school in Kuantan, Pahang, has been shortlisted as a top three finalist for the World’s Best School Prizes and is in the running for a share of RM1.14 million (US$250,000).
Sekolah Kebangsaan Kempadang (SK Kempadang), a trust school, made it into the final three for the innovation category – one of the five categories under the award.
It was shortlisted for the innovation prize after creating Smartzoom, a fully automated tracking system that follows students’ progress in their studies using data input from Google Sheets and Google Chrome.
Their invention came at a time when face-to-face classes were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and after the ministry of education decided to replace the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examinations with school-based assessments.
The award was launched this year by global education organisation T4 Education, in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, Yayasan Hasanah, Templeton World Charity Foundation, the Lemann Foundation, D2L, Mellby Gård, and Universidad Camilo José Cela.
“The World’s Best School Prizes recognises the expertise of inspirational schools from every corner of the globe. It’s time for governments everywhere to listen to their voices,” said T4 Education CEO Vikas Pota.
In a statement, Yayasan Hasanah managing director Shahira Ahmed Bazar congratulated SK Kempadang for being named a finalist in the innovation category.
“Educators everywhere will take great inspiration from this outstanding Malaysian trust school, and it is proof that our public schools are capable of being among the world’s best,” she said.
The primary school will receive RM228,350 (US$50,000) if they win their category after a public vote and selection by a panel of judges comprising academics, educators, NGO leaders, civil society representatives, and other experts.
If they win, SK Kempadang intends to use the funds to improve and expand the capacity of Smartzoom, and share it with other schools in the country.
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