Bataan school gains international recognition

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — The Mariveles National High School-Poblacion (MNHS) in Bataan has earned international recognition as one of the Top 10 finalists in the World’s Best School Prizes 2025 for its Changing Lives Through Sports program.

The school is the only finalist from the Philippines this year.

Armando Capili, Bataan assistant schools division superintendent, encouraged Filipinos to rally behind the school and show their support by voting online.

“Your vote is not only for the school but for stories of all students whose lives were changed by their simple program,” Capili said.

The public can vote until July 9 for the MNHS through https://vote.worldsbestschool.org/publicvote25/entry/2691.

The school is competing with learning institutions in Brazil, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Vietnam under the Supporting Healthy Lives category.

The World’s Best School Prizes, launched by global education organization T4 Education, honor schools that drive positive change in five key areas: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity and Supporting Healthy Lives.

According to the T4 Education website, the MNHS program has transformed the lives of many students who experienced bullying, depression and addiction by providing a positive outlet through sports.

“The program integrates structured training sessions with academic support and health awareness to develop student-athletes who are physically fit, responsible, disciplined and academically competent,” reads an introduction to the school’s program on the T4 Education website.

“Through this approach, students become engaged in sports, developing passion, perseverance, discipline and dedication while strengthening their academic proficiencies in a more motivated learning environment,” it added.