Three Pakistani Schools Shortlisted for World’s Best School Prizes 2025

Three schools from Pakistan — two in Lahore and one in Quetta — have made it to the finals of the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2025, according to a press release by T4 Education.

The Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School and the Nordic International School from Lahore, along with Beaconhouse College Programme’s Juniper Campus in Quetta, have been shortlisted among 50 global finalists. These awards recognize excellence in Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives.

Sanjan Nagar, a charity-run school located in Lahore’s Glaxo Town, has been nominated for the Overcoming Adversity category. The school began operations in an abandoned factory and now serves over 800 students. It has pioneered the use of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, helping marginalized children develop modern, inquiry-based learning skills.

The Nordic International School has been recognized for Community Collaboration. It operates as an independent school from kindergarten to secondary level, involving parents directly in their children’s academic journey. The school promotes a culture of kindness and emotional wellbeing, ensuring a nurturing learning environment.

Beaconhouse’s Juniper Campus in Quetta has also been shortlisted for Community Collaboration for its innovative “Science Gaari” project. This mobile, student-led science lab brings STEM education to underserved rural areas in Balochistan. Developed in partnership with UNICEF, it aims to break barriers in science learning for underprivileged children.

All finalists are part of a public vote for the Community Choice Award, and winners across all categories will be announced in October 2025. Finalists will also participate in the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi from November 15–16, sharing ideas with education policymakers and global leaders.

T4’s founder Vikas Pota said the schools offer hope in a world reshaped by AI, climate change, poverty, and conflict. He emphasized the need for human-centered education and praised the innovation shown by the Pakistani institutions.

Despite this global recognition, Pakistan’s education system continues to face major challenges. The federal budget for higher education in 2025-26 was set at Rs66.4 billion, far below the Rs84.6 billion requested by the Higher Education Commission.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern that over 22 million children are still out of school in Pakistan and stressed the importance of girls’ education in driving economic and social progress.

These shortlisted schools offer a beacon of hope and prove that quality education is possible even in difficult circumstances.