If you are committed to advancing quality education, here are 7 reasons why your school or organization should apply for the ASEAN School Awards:

1. Gain Regional Recognition for Educational Excellence

The ASEAN School Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to education across the region. From innovative teaching and school leadership to impactful community partnerships. Being named a finalist or winner affirms your position among the region’s leading education institutions and professionals.

2. Benchmark Your Achievements Across ASEAN

Preparing your application provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on your school’s vision, strategies, and impact. The process itself helps you benchmark your achievements against other education innovators in the region, identifying where you excel and where you can improve on.

3. Showcase Your Strengths Across Diverse Award Categories

With 20+ award categories, it strives to celebrate various areas in the K-12 education. Explore categories such as:

• Athletics & Sports Award

• Early Childhood Center Award

• Innovative Facilities Award

• Professional Learning & Staff Development Award

• Service Learning Award

• Public Choice Award

Each category celebrates different aspects of education that contribute to the progression of schools and learners. See the full list of award categories ›

4. Applications Reviewed by International Education Experts

Your submission will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges composed of global education experts, school heads, and thought leaders with extensive experience in academic excellence and innovation in the region. Their professional insights ensure a fair, rigorous, and meaningful review process. Meet the judges ›

5. Gain Media Exposure and Regional Visibility

Winners and finalists are featured across the ASEAN School Awards’ media platforms and partner channels, reaching thousands of educators and stakeholders across Southeast Asia. This visibility strengthens your brand reputation and demonstrates your commitment to excellence in education. 

6. Network with Education Leaders at the Gala Dinner

All shortlisted finalists are invited to attend the ASEAN School Awards Gala Dinner, where award recipients are announced and celebrated. The event brings together influential school leaders, policymakers, and education innovators from across ASEAN for an invaluable opportunity of connection, collaboration, and partnership. Learn more about the Gala Dinner ›

7. Free, Accessible, and Designed to Support Growth

Participation is completely free: no application or listing fees. The awards aim to make credible recognition accessible to all schools and education-related organizations in the ASEAN region, encouraging growth, reflection, and collaboration without financial barriers. See our FAQs ›

Are You Ready to Inspire and Be Celebrated by the ASEAN Community?

The ASEAN School Awards are more than a competition – it’s a movement to celebrate and connect the schools and organizations shaping the future of education across Southeast Asia.

Submit your story, share your impact, and join a community of forward-thinking educators across the region.

The post 7 Reasons Why You Should Apply for the ASEAN School Awards appeared first on ASEAN School Awards.

21C Learning Launches Inaugural ASEAN School Awards 2026 – Celebrating Education Excellence from 10 ASEAN Countries

Bangkok, Thailand – June 8, 2025– The ASEAN School Awards, the first-ever initiative to recognize and celebrate innovation in international education across the ASEAN region, is now open for submissions. 

The ASEAN School Awards will take place on 8 May 2026 in Bangkok, and aims to celebrate schools, educators, and education service providers that are demonstrating outstanding contributions to the enhancement and development of educational practices. 

It is now calling for schools and relevant entities across Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to submit their applications – and be in the running to be one of the many winners for 21 categories open for application for this inaugural event – including a Public Choice Award category that will involve a public voting exercise in January 2026.

Here are the award categories:

• Arts
• Athletics & Sports
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion 
• Early Childhood Center
• EdTech Program 
• EdTech Solution
• Education Supplier
• Experiential Learning Program
• Experiential Learning Provider
• Innovative Facilities
• Innovative Marketing
• Innovative Teaching & Learning
• Judges Choice Award (will be selected by the Judges amongst the finalists)
• Professional Learning & Staff Development
• Public Choice Award
• School Library Award
• School Wellness 
• Service Learning
• STEAM Award
• Strategic Plan Award
• Student Agency 
• Student Leadership

The complete description of each category can be found HERE.

Eligibility:
The awards are open to all schools located in the ASEAN region, as well as businesses and organizations that provide services to schools within the region. This includes public and private institutions, as well as education suppliers and experiential learning providers.

Benefits of Participation:
Winners and finalists will receive:

• Recognition for their outstanding achievements
• Enhanced visibility and reputation
• Opportunities to network with other leading educators
• A platform to share their best practices
• Inspiration to further innovate and excel

How to Apply:
Educators, schools, and education service providers are invited to submit their applications through the official ASEAN School Awards website. The deadline for submissions is 15 December 2025.

“We invite schools and companies from the 10 ASEAN countries to showcase their innovation— to gain recognition, share best practices, and inspire progress across the education scene in the region.”

— Justin Hardman, CEO & Founder of 21C Learning

Judging Process:
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished and independent judges with extensive experience in education. The judges will evaluate each application based on the specific criteria for each award category.

The ASEAN School Awards 2026 is co-located with:

1. Lead to Succeed Summit (L2SS)
   8-9 May 2026 | Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, Thailand
   A conference designed for current and aspiring leaders in international schools, this conference program equips participants with the essential skills and insights to excel in leadership roles. Through deep dives into key areas of school leadership, attendees will gain actionable strategies and fresh perspectives. Leave inspired and ready to implement transformative practices that elevate school success.
2. International School Marketing and Admissions Conference
   8-9 May 2026 | Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, Thailand
   Inaugural conference designed for marketing and admissions personnel in international schools who are eager to further develop their professional skills. Discover the latest trends and insights that can elevate your strategies in enhancing your customer journey, helping you to convert your potential customers into active participants of your school community. 

About the ASEAN School Awards
The ASEAN School Awards are dedicated to celebrating and promoting excellence in education across the ASEAN region. By recognizing the achievements of schools, educators, and service providers, the awards aim to inspire further innovation and collaboration, ultimately contributing to the advancement of education and the development of the region’s future generations.

About the Organizer: 21st Century Learning
21st Century Learning (21CL) organizes top-tier conferences and events that align with its mission of “Building Communities of Learners” including: 21st Century Learning Hong Kong Conference, GBA School Awards, AI & the Future of Education Conference, PHASE (Physical Education, Athletics, Health & Wellness), OFFSEAS (Outdoor Education), Lead to Succeed (Education Leadership), and International Education Institute Asia. Led by educators with deep experience in Education Leadership, Professional Learning, EdTech and Progressive Pedagogy, 21CL also offers consultancy and professional learning services for schools.

For more info, reach out to info@21c-learning.com.

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