Ugandan community school wins over sh180m global inclusive education prize

MUBENDE - Mubende district-based Suubi Community Schools has won $50,000 (about shillings 189 million) in prize money of the Inclusive Education in the Global Schools Prize 2026.

The prize is an initiative of the Varkey Foundation, celebrating the world’s most innovative and impactful schools reimagining education for the future. 

 A statement released on May 12, 2026, indicates that Sunny Varkey, the founder of the Varkey Foundation, the Global Schools Prize, and GEMS Education, congratulated Suubi Community Schools, saying:

"Your approach to teaching and learning powerfully demonstrates how schools play a defining role in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to shape our rapidly evolving world.

By highlighting your achievement, we hope to inspire a global movement to reimagine learning and turn bold ideas into real-world impact. This is more than an award – it’s a platform to spark a global conversation about scaling the best ideas in education and advancing action far beyond the classroom.” 

The school was selected from almost 3,000 nominations and applications across 113 countries worldwide, according to the statement. 

Suubi Community Schools has also been named as one of the Top 10 finalists for the Global Schools Prize 2026, with the overall winner – and recipient of an additional $500,000 prize – set to be announced at the Education World Forum on May 19. 

"Founded by renowned education pioneer and philanthropist Sunny Varkey, the $1 million Global Schools Prize is the largest prize of its kind. Today’s top 10 announcement recognises outstanding schools worldwide that demonstrate exceptional drive and ambition for their students, regardless of circumstance, ensuring every learner has the chance to thrive."

The Ugandan school, the statement says, was founded by Daniel Sebugwawo and serves 570 students aged 5-19.  

"Recognised with a Resolution Project Award and further project honours, Suubi would use Prize funds to expand teacher training, hire staff, scale STEM and vocational programmes, and strengthen after-class catch-up learning, proving meaningful inclusion is possible in resource-constrained settings".  

The school is reportedly built on structured catch-up teaching, personalised learning plans, formative assessment and multi-sensory support. Suubi helps children facing reading difficulties, attention challenges, language barriers and trauma-related learning loss.

The statement says the school redefine disability leadership: "Suubi’s standout innovation gives students with special educational needs and disabilities leadership roles in STEM, arts and vocational projects – boosting confidence, changing perceptions and creating a model others can replicate".

"Through intensive teacher training, digital inclusion powered by new solar infrastructure, and strong parent and community engagement, Suubi is tackling disability stigma – especially for girls".