School initiative 'turning trash into letters' in Indonesia wins top prize at AIA 2025

From recycled waste, teachers and students of UPTD SD Negeri Papela School (Indonesia) created a project to 'turn trash into letters', significantly improving reading and writing skills and winning the highest prize in the AIA Healthiest Schools 2025 program.

On the evening of July 3, in Da Nang City (including Da Nang City and the former Quang Nam province), the regional awards ceremony of season 3 of the "AIA Healthiest Schools" program officially took place, gathering typical initiatives on school health education from many countries in the Asia - Pacific region. The program was organized by AIA Group with the goal of promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles in the school environment.

This year, the highest regional award was given to UPTD SD Negeri Papela School (Indonesia) for the project "Ecolitera: Trash and Stories". On the remote island of Rote Ndao, teachers and students used recycled waste to make tables, chairs, alphabets, fertilizers, etc., while improving students' literacy skills and raising environmental awareness, contributing to a 70% improvement in literacy results for the entire school.

The highest regional award was given by the Organizing Committee to UPTD SD Negeri Papela School (Indonesia)

PHOTO: HD

In addition to the grand prize, the Organizing Committee also awarded separate categories. These include the Health and Sustainable Development Award (Tessaban 1 Kittikachorn School, Thailand) with a biodegradable product from fallen leaves; the Mental Health Award (SMP Negeri 43 Bandun School, Indonesia) with an anti-bullying application; the Active Lifestyle Award (Jaffna Hindu College, Sri Lanka) with a school bicycle system; and the Healthy Diet Award (Happy Hollow National High School, Philippines) with an organic farm project combined with nutrition education .

The Healthy Diet Award goes to Happy Hollow National High School (Philippines)

PHOTO: H.D

Two Vietnamese representatives, UKA Danang School and Times School Khai Son ( Hanoi ), also made their mark with practical initiatives, expanding opportunities to exchange and share healthy school models with international friends, and were included in the top impressive school initiatives by the Organizing Committee.

The Health and Sustainable Development Award was given to Tessaban 1 Kittikachorn School (Thailand)

PHOTO: H.D

Launched in 2022, the "AIA Healthiest Schools" program for students aged 5-16 revolves around four pillars: nutrition, exercise, mental health, and environmental protection. Participating schools are supported with free materials, organized practical activities, and encouraged to carry out real-life projects with a total prize of up to 100,000 USD.

To date, the program has attracted more than 1,300 participating schools after 3 seasons. The 2024-2025 school year alone recorded 651 registered schools, a record number, showing strong spread in the regional education community.

Mr. Stuart A. Spencer, Deputy General Director of Marketing, AIA Group, shared: "The competition not only honors outstanding initiatives, but also creates a healthy living movement that spreads throughout schools. Every small change today will be a big step towards a healthier, happier generation."

The program will continue season 4 (2025 - 2026), expanding its scale, accompanying the Vietnamese education sector more deeply in the journey to build healthy, modern and integrated schools.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sang-kien-hoc-duong-bien-rac-thanh-chu-o-indonesia-doat-giai-cao-nhat-aia-2025-185250704074648633.htm