Sunny Varkey has launched the 1 Million Schools Campaign, a global initiative that aims to unite one million schools worldwide in community action over the next five years.
The campaign was unveiled at SPARK.Dubai, a conference hosted by the Varkey Foundation at the GEMS School of Research and Innovation.
The initiative seeks to build a global network of schools committed to taking action on shared challenges. Schools are invited to participate across four initial themes: climate education, food insecurity, education in crisis, and community leadership. Additional themes will be introduced at a later stage.
One million schools targeted in new global education initiative
“Every day, schools – through their heroic teachers and students – are changing lives, often against the odds. The 1 Million Schools Campaign connects that courage and creativity across borders, turning it into a global force for good. “This campaign aims to make a positive impact in areas from supporting families and communities, to advancing sustainability, to ending poverty and illiteracy. If one school can change a community, imagine what one million schools can change together. I urge schools in every corner of the world to come together and join this campaign. The invitation is open: one school, one action, one global movement – one million times over,” Varkey said in a statement.
Schools can participate by registering through the Varkey Foundation website. Participants may commit to actions within their local communities or support existing teacher-led projects.
Schools are also encouraged to share their involvement on social media using the hashtag #1MillionSchools and to nominate other schools to join.
The Varkey Foundation will act as the coordinating body for the campaign. It will use its international network built through the Global Teacher Prize, Global Student Prize, and the Global Schools Prize. Applications for the Global Schools Prize remain open until 9 February.
Varkey Foundation calls on schools worldwide to take community action
The campaign will launch with several flagship initiatives developed by educators.
The Climate Action Project, founded by Koen Timmers, allows students aged 3 to 21 to collaborate on environmental topics over six weeks. The project has reached more than seven million students across 182 countries.
Build the Change is a monthly programme delivered in partnership with LEGO, where students and teachers develop solutions to challenges including air pollution and urban design.
Writing Our Future, Together enables students and teachers to make a pledge connected to environmental issues such as waste reduction and clothing recycling.
The National School Pantry Network, co-founded by Nathan Atkinson, operates across the UK and supports schools in addressing hunger. The programme combines food access with learning activities and family engagement.
EduSpots, established by Cat Davison, supports the creation of community-owned learning hubs using digital tools including tablets, WhatsApp, and a dedicated app. As part of the campaign, EduSpots will run the “AI for All: Workshop and Challenge” on 19 March to mark International Day for Digital Learning.
The campaign will expand to include further initiatives over time.
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Attendees at SPARK.Dubai also heard from Nile Rodgers, choreographer and dancer Carlos Acosta, and musician Matteo Bocelli, who discussed creativity in education in the context of artificial intelligence.
Dancers from the Acosta Danza Academy travelled from Cuba to perform. Students from the GEMS School of Research and Innovation presented work including Mangobots learning robots and AI avatars designed for education.
The Varkey Foundation supports teacher development and education systems worldwide. It is the founder of the Global Teacher Prize, which recognises teachers for their work in education.
