Bangkok: The winners of the 4th annual AIA Healthiest Schools Award for 2025/2026 were announced in Bangkok, awarding a total of US$100,000 in prizes and grants to schools in the Asia Pacific region that demonstrate innovative approaches to promoting sustainable youth and community well-being across four dimensions: nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and environment.
According to Thai News Agency, a highlight of this year's competition was the victory of SMP IL Kapten Fatubaa School from Indonesia, a school located in a remote border area. They won first place at the regional level with their 'Huka Upcycling Project,' which addressed community waste problems by having students transform discarded banana peels into ice cream, compost, and bio-fertilizer. This project not only integrated science lessons with entrepreneurial skills but also benefited and disseminated knowledge to over 1,000 people in the community across borders.
AIA held a regional awards ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, to recognize winning schools and presented a total of US$100,000 in prize money to support the schools' continued health and well-being activities.
SMP IL Kapten Fatubaa School is located in a remote border village in Indonesia, where students must cross a river and travel through rugged terrain to get to school. To address this, teachers transformed community waste into a valuable learning opportunity through the 'Huka Upcycling Project.' Students transform discarded banana peels into ice cream, compost, and bio-fertilizer, integrating science education with entrepreneurial skills and community development. This project has benefited over 1,000 people, improving environmental awareness, supporting local farmers, and fostering cross-border community collaboration.
Other winners included Angchum Secondary School from Cambodia, which received the Award for Sustainable Healthcare for its student-driven campaigns promoting reduced plastic use and better hygiene. Chongqing Nan'an District Shanhu Puhui Experimental Primary School in Mainland China won the Award for Good Mental Health with their 'Emotion Eco-Park' project. Sekolah Kebangsaan Manir School in Malaysia received the Award for Active Lifestyle through their 'Sihat Aktif Manirian' project, while Chu Van An Primary School in Vietnam was honored with the Award for Healthy Eating through their 'Happy Meal' project.
Looking ahead, the AIA Healthiest Schools program for 2026/2027 will expand to include Myanmar and New Zealand, alongside the existing countries participating in the program. This expansion aims to further promote health and well-being for students and communities across the Asia Pacific region, in line with AIA's commitment to 'Healthier, Longer, Better Lives'.