Applications open for 2027 ASEAN and GBA School Awards

21st Century Learning has opened applications for the 2027 ASEAN School Awards and Greater Bay Area School Awards, giving schools and education partners across Asia a free, judged platform to recognize excellence and measurable impact. The programs highlight education leadership, innovation, well-being and community engagement, with entries due through November and December. Why it matters: - The awards give schools and education providers a free way to benchmark performance, raise visibility and validate programs, culture and strategy. - The programs also shine a spotlight on education suppliers and service providers, reflecting how school outcomes depend on broader regional collaboration. What happened: - Applications are open for the 2027 ASEAN School Awards and Greater Bay Area School Awards. - 21st Century Learning (21CL) organized both regional award programs. - The 2027 cycle is the third edition of the GBA School Awards and the second edition of the ASEAN School Awards. - The awards are open to schools, education organizations, suppliers, service providers and education-focused companies. The details: - The awards have no application fees. - An independent panel of experienced education leaders, school operators and industry experts reviews all entries. - More than 20 categories cover leadership, teaching and learning, innovation, student well-being, sustainability, technology integration, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and institutional excellence. - Dedicated categories recognize education suppliers, service providers and vendors. - Since launch in 2025, the combined programs have received 203 submissions, produced 124 finalists and named 73 winners. - Participation has spanned Greater Bay Area schools in Hong Kong, Macao and nine municipalities in Guangdong Province, plus 11 ASEAN countries. - The application windows remain open through November and December, respectively. - Award information and criteria are available at ASEAN School Awards and Greater Bay Area School Awards . Between the lines: - The awards are positioning themselves as merit-based regional platforms rather than pay-to-play recognition programs. - The submission and finalist counts suggest the programs have already built credibility across a wide geographic footprint. - Justin Hardman, founder and CEO of 21st Century Learning, said the awards were created to recognize outstanding achievements, showcase best practices and connect schools and organizations driving positive change across the region. What’s next: - Schools and education partners can submit entries during the open application period. - Winners and finalists will add another year of regional benchmarking as the 2027 cycle moves forward. - 21CL will continue promoting the awards as part of its broader education events and professional learning lineup. The bottom line: - The 2027 ASEAN and GBA School Awards are open now, with free entry, independent judging and a broad category mix aimed at recognizing education excellence across Asia.