DUBAI, U.A.E: An Indian teacher and activist who has created hundreds of learning centers and painted educational murals across the walls of slums won the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize this week.
Rouble Nagi received the award at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, an annual gathering that brings together leaders from around the world.
Through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has set up more than 800 learning centres across India to provide structured education to children who never went to school, while also supporting those already enrolled. Nagi is also known for painting educational murals that teach subjects such as literacy, science, mathematics, and history.
While accepting the honor, Nagi said the recognition was meaningful to both her and India. She recalled starting 24 years ago with just 30 children in a small workshop and said her efforts have since reached more than a million children. She added that her lifelong dream has been to see every child attend school, and working toward that goal has been a humbling journey.
The prize is presented by the Varkey Foundation, founded by Sunny Varkey, who also established the for-profit GEMS Education network, which operates dozens of schools in countries including Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.
In a statement on the Global Teacher Prize website, Varkey praised Nagi as an example of courage, creativity, and compassion, saying her work with marginalized communities has transformed lives and strengthened families.
Nagi said she intends to use the $1 million award money to build an institute that will provide free vocational training.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini said the award is a reminder of the vital role teachers play in society. In remarks posted on the prize website, she said UNESCO was proud to celebrate educators who, through patience and determination, help children enter school and change the course of their lives.
Nagi is the 10th recipient of the Global Teacher Prize, which was first awarded in 2015. Previous winners include a Kenyan teacher who donated much of his salary to the poor, a Palestinian primary school teacher who promoted nonviolence, a Canadian educator working in a remote Arctic Inuit community, and last year's winner, Saudi teacher Mansour al-Mansour, known for supporting disadvantaged students.
