The GBA School Awards are the first ever opportunity for those involved in education in the GBA to celebrate education innovation. Each of the awards are open to any school in the GBA and will be voted on by a panel of independent and distinguished judges.
Awards Categories
AFTER SCHOOL PROVIDER
After School Provider
Recognizing outstanding providers of afterschool enrichment activities
ARTS
Arts Award
Awarded to schools that have inclusive and outstanding creative and performing arts programs
ATHLETICS & SPORTS
Athletics & Sports Award
Awarded to schools that have inclusive and aspirational athletics and sports programs
DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Celebrating schools that excel in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their communities.EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Early Childhood Center
Recognizing outstanding and innovative early childhood centers
EDTECH PROGRAM
EdTech Program
Awarded to schools that demonstrate innovative and effective use of educational technology to enhance learning.EDTECH SOLUTION
EdTech Solution Award
Award to EdTech platform or product that supports next generation learning in K-12 schools
EDUCATION SUPPLIER
Education Supplier Award
Celebrating suppliers that provide outstanding products or services that enhance educational environments.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM
Experiential Learning Program
Recognizing exceptional programs that provide hands-on, real-world learning experiences for students.EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROVIDER
Experiential Learning Provider
Recognizing providers that offer exceptional experiential learning opportunities outside of traditional school settings.INNOVATIVE FACILITIES
Innovative Facilities
Celebrating schools with cutting-edge facilities that enhance the learning environment.INNOVATIVE MARKETING
Innovative Marketing
Recognizing schools with creative and effective marketing strategies that engage their communities.INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
Innovative Teaching & Learning
Celebrating innovative approaches to teaching and learning that significantly impact student outcomes.JUDGES CHOICE AWARD
Judges Choice Award
Awarded to outstanding finalists recognized for exceptional merit and compliments from the judges within their category
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Professional Learning & Staff Development
Honoring schools that excel in providing exceptional professional development opportunities for their staff.PUBLIC CHOICE AWARD
Public Choice Award
Award voted on by the general public across all the categories above
SCHOOL LIBRARY
School Library Award
Recognizing outstanding school libraries that foster a love for reading and learningSCHOOL WELLNESS
School Wellness
Honoring schools that prioritize and excel in initiatives promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellness.SERVICE LEARNING
Service Learning
Recognizing schools that have implemented authentic and sustainable service learning programs
STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Plan
Awarded to schools that have a community led strategic plan that is driving the school to excellence
STEAM AWARD
STEAM Award
Recognizing outstanding programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education.STUDENT AGENCY
Student Agency
Awarded to schools that empower students to take initiative and ownership of their learning experiences.STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Student Leadership
Awarded to schools that have authentic and sustainable student leadership programs
Awards Partners
The reach and impact of our awards is amplified by our valued partners
Get Involved
Reach out to Justin Hardman (jahardman@21c-learning.com) if you are interested in partnering with the awards. We are looking for partners to help promote the awards as well as sponsors for the awards themselves.
FAQ
What is the GBA, who is eligible to apply?
GBA refers to the “Greater Bay Area”. This includes: the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the nine municipalities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province.
I’m not in the GBA, can I apply?
The awards are open to schools that are physically located in the GBA or for businesses that operate (service schools) in the GBA.
What is the cost to participate?
No fees are required to apply for the award. The only cost to schools/applicants is to attend the Gala Dinner. Anyone involved in Education is welcome to attend. Although it is required for nominated entities to send at least one representative to the Gala Dinner to witness the announcement of winners. More about the Gala Dinner.
Why create this award for the GBA?
The GBA is the largest and most populated urban area in the world as well as one of the fastest growing. Already a center for innovation in multiple areas including education. These awards are designed to showcase and promote innovation and excellence in education in this dynamic and interconnected part of the world as well as to provide a platform for sharing and collaboration between schools that are part of a dynamic region that will help shape the 21st Century.
Who are the organizers of these awards?
These awards are organized by 21st Century Learning (21CL), a Hong Kong-registered company in cooperation with its partners. 21CL has a long history of bringing together educational innovators through their conferences and events throughout the region. They also previously ran the prestigious Innovative Educator and Innovative Teacher Awards which were sponsored globally by Pearson.
Can a school submit applications for multiple award categories?
Yes, absolutely.
Can I use same application to submit into multiple award categories?
Yes, you may submit the same application into multiple award categories as long as your submission is relevant to each of them. If you do intend to submit into multiple categories, do note that the Application Form only accommodates one award category selection per submission, thus you will need to fill in the form every time you select a different category.
Must our submission represent the “whole school” or just a particular segment of the school?
The award submission can represent just one particular initiative your school leading/engaging in. For example, for the School Library Award, it could be for a new student leadership initiative in a particular school library (if you have Early Year/Primary/Secondary libraries). Or the Experiential Learning Award, it could be for a program that impacts only on a particular grade level for example.
What happens at the Gala Dinner?
All nominees will be invited to the Gala dinner, where we will spotlight them during the event and announce the winner LIVE for each award. Winners and finalists will be invited for photo op with the distinguished judges. Nominees should send at least one representative to the Gala Dinner on 13 February 2025.
The Gala Dinner is also open to anyone involved in Education to attend.
Tickets are $250USD per seat per person, or $199USD per seat for groups of three or more. Learn More.
What do I receive for the award?
Award winners will receive a trophy and plaque which they can showcase in their school. There will also be digital badges issued to award winners for display on their digital platforms.
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Integrated with 21CLHK
- The GBA Awards is integrated with the Annual 21st Century Learning Conference (21CLHK). The GBA Awards Gala Dinner will take place in March 2026, the evening before the conference kicks off.
- Nominees and winners of the awards will receive discounted ticket prices for the Gala Dinner and the conference.
- Winners will be celebrated during the conference itself amplifying the great work via the network of innovators and leaders that join 21CLHK each year.