Lynedoch Community School in the Lynedoch Valley near Stellenbosch – Sustainability Institute School Program (SISP) has been named one of the top 50 contenders for the inaugural Global Schools Prize. Lynedoch Community School – SISP is the only South African school to make this year's shortlist, and is one of five schools competing in the health and wellness category.

Registered as an independent special school serving 142 children aged four months to 18 years in a Montessori-inspired setting, Lynedoch Community School – SISP weaves emotional literacy, nutrition, movement, creativity and nature into every school day.

Young people improved academic results in grades 8-12 by an average of 9.6% this year. All six 2024 matriculants passed. Ten young women advance to Oribi Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. The drama team advanced to a provincial competition with the play they wrote. More than 24,000 nutritious meals are served annually. Community Guardians provided 152 emotional support sessions to 34 learners in a single session.

Children garden four days a week, ride bicycles, vault on horses, practice aerial silks, journal, and exhibit art at the Rupert Museum. The NextGen Men program addresses gender-based violence; Emotional support circles give teens a safe place to listen.

The prize money will bring occupational and speech therapy on-site, removing barriers for vulnerable children and proving that care, not crisis, builds the future.

The top 20 schools advancing to the next stage of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition were announced at a special event on 14 April 2026, attended by Simon Lee, President and CEO of Samsung Africa, along with his management team, as well as some of South Africa's dignitaries and strategic partners, including Elspeth Khembo, Director of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Curriculum Innovation and e-Learning at the DBE; and Talali Talali, director of corporate affairs at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).
Top 20 Schools in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition 2026

More about Global School Awards

The 2026 Global Schools Awards is a new initiative from the Varkey Foundation, celebrating the world's most innovative and impactful schools that are reimagining education for the future. The $1 million Global School Prize is said to be the largest prize of its kind.

This year's shortlist was selected from approximately 3,000 nominations and applications from 113 countries around the world. The shortlist is divided into 10 categories, with five schools nominated per category. The winner in each category will receive $50,000; Among them, one exceptional school will receive the Global School Prize and $500,000 to expand its impact.

The categories are:

  • AI transformation
  • Art, Culture and Creativity
  • Character and values ​​driven education
  • Global Citizenship and Peace Building
  • health and wellbeing
  • overcoming adversity
  • SEND/INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
  • stem education
  • sustainability
  • teacher development

The top 50 shortlisted schools are awarded the Global School Award badge, symbolizing world-class impact and achievement in areas ranging from AI transformation to teacher development. These schools are also welcomed into the Global Schools Network, giving them access to partnerships, professional development and global collaboration opportunities with other leading institutions.

see Here is the full list of finalists for the Global School Awards 2026.

Categorized in:

Education

Tagged in:

, , , ,